I arrived back in Doha on the last day of August, smack dab in the middle of Ramadan, jet lagged and stuffed up with a cold, and exhausted from 24 hours of travel. Orientation was over by the time I got here and school was about to start. My first class was at 8 am the morning after I arrived. Feeling a little dehydrated, I filled my big water glass before heading to class and commenced to sip for the next 3 hours in front of a room of Muslim students. I must have really been out of it! Even after receiving an e-mail notice from the Dean warning faculty and staff to be careful of consuming anything in a public area, I didn't realize what I had done until later that afternoon. My students, like most people here, are gracious and my apologies during the next class were readily accepted.
Westerners cannot fully appreciate the significance of Ramadan. We stand outside the celebration of this season and assume that it has nothing to do with us. To Muslims, however, the Holy Month has great significance and I suspect that the presence of Westerners is more intrusive during that time. This year, thanks to daily articles in the Gulf Times, I came to a fuller appreciation of the season. It is intriguing how much Ramadan mirrors the season of Advent as a time of spiritual seeking and preparation. It is a time for families as each day the fast is broken with a special meal. The month is completed with the holiday Eid al Fitr, a time for celebration, feasting, gift giving and family visits. Does that sound like a Christian celebration familiar to you? Dave and I were delighted to find, on one of our walks around the neighbourhood during Eid, a villa decorated with "Christmas" lights in grand style.
Forty days after the end of Eid al Fitr, is the second Eid--Eid al Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice when sheep and goats are slaughtered to celebrate the faithfulness of Abraham as he was called by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. This is a more solemn feast and recalls the sacrifice of Christ, in the tradition close to my heart. I can't help but feel that we have more similarities than differences.
It was wonderful to be back in Doha--great to get off the plane and feel at home, so familiar, a thrill to get in the taxi and give the driver directions. "You get me to Landmark, and I'll direct you from there." I am a seasoned member of the faculty this year, giving support and advice to the new faculty--who would ever have believed it! Getting reacquainted with students, making acquaintance with new faculty and staff, putting together two new (for me) courses, and trying to have a bit of a life outside of school has made it a very busy fall.
I am a member of the Doha Singers again this year, joined by two of my neighbours in the compound.We are preparing for a Christmas concert and the music is so much fun and so nostalgic that I think we all leave rehersals feeling home sick. As well, after having a successful audition, I am 3rd trumpet in the Doha Windband. Now I have a reason to practice my trumpet and I am enjoying it immensely.It's is not as professional a group as The River Valley Show Band, of course, but I guess it will have to do!
As if that wasn't enough,I have volunteered to teach "Friday School" at the Church of the Epiphany once a month, and I plan to regularly visit the Qatari Foundation for Elderly People Care (I love that name!). I'm anxious to hear the stories of these old people, and learn from them about this country and culture.
Today I joined the Think Pink Walk organized by the Qatar Cancer Society. Our students were instrumental in building awareness of the event so it was a pleasure to support them in their efforts. Many of the faculty and staff from UC-Q took part. People from all over the world, dressed in pink, spent an hour walking the length of the corniche in support of breast cancer awareness.
It sounds like I'm becoming part of a community. I'm growing attached to this little city and the people of Qatar, to our students and the work that we are doing here. I've become familiar with the place and the people. It almost feels like home.
