6.3. Holidays, Ramadan and Business Hours
a) Religious Holidays
The Moslem calendar (Hegira) is a lunar one; the first year corresponds to
the year that prophet Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina (622 A.D.). The
Moslem year is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar and therefore its
holidays vary from year to year. It is difficult to know precisely on which
day in the Gregorian calendar a Moslem feast will fall. Eid el Fitr, a three-day
feast, celebrates the end of Ramadan. Eid el Adha celebrates the end of the
pilgrimage to Mecca. Muharram 1st is the Moslem New year, the first day of
the Islamic calendar is the birthday of the prophet. Rajab 27th is the Feast
of Al-Miaraj, commemorating the prophet Mohammed's nocturnal visit to heaven.
b) Other Holidays
Friday and since 2000 also Saturday are the official weekly days off in Jordan.
Most shops are closed on Fridays although many Christian shopkeepers close
on Sunday instead.
National holidays include:
New Year: January, 1st
King Abdullah's Birthday: January, 30th
Labor Day: May, 1st
Independence Day: May, 25th
King Abdullah´s Ascension to the Throne: June, 9th
Army Day: June, 10th
Al Mawlid Al Nabawi: June, 14th
King Hussein's Birthday: November, 14th
Al Isra´wal Mi´ray: October, 24th
Christmas: December, 25th
Islamic holidays are observed, but their actual dates vary by approximately two weeks every year due to the Islamic lunar calendar that determines the precise times of religious holidays.
c) Business Hours
Friday and Saturday are the weekly holidays in which banks, government offices,
and most businesses are closed.
Banks open from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and some reopen in the afternoon from
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Business offices are open from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:30 PM to 6:30
PM.
Government offices are open from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
Shopping hours are flexible. Some shops are open from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and
3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Others may be open long hours, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Earlier closings are in effect during the month of Ramadan.
d) Ramadan
A stranger visiting Jordan during the Holy Month of Ramadan might be puzzled
about the closure of restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food stands. It may
be surprising to find out that no one is allowed to eat, drink or smoke in
public.
During Ramadan discos and night clubs are closed and most of the hotels do
not serve alcoholic drinks. Only 4 star and 5 star hotels are serving alcohol.
During Ramadan business life is a little mixed up and business and government
offices often reduce the number of hours they are open during Holy Month of
Ramadan.
During the day restaurants are empty but food is served. This is considered
the fasting month of Ramadan.
The fasting month in 2001 will start approximately on November, 16th. Beginning
and ending of the Ramadan depend on the moon.
Contents of the Guide Book
| 1. | Welcome to Jordan |
| 2.. | The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan |
| 2.1. | Geography, Climate and Borders |
| 2.2. | Entry and Departure Procedures |
| 2.3 | Population |
| 2.4. | Currency |
| 2.5. | History |
| 2.6. |
Government |
| 2.7. | Economy |
| 3. | Jordan, where the Adventure awaits you |
| 3.2 | Amman, the Dynamic Capital City |
| 3.2. | The
Kings´Highway (Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Mukawir, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak) |
| 3.3. | Petra, the Spectacular Rose-Red City |
| 3.4. | The Cities of Decapolis (Pella, Gadara, Abila, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Umm el Jimal) |
| 3.5.. |
Following
the Footsteps of "Lawrence of Arabia"; |
| 3.6. | Aqaba, Jordan´s year-round Red Sea Resort |
| 3.7. | The Dead Sea and Termal Spas; The healing power of the Dead Sea; The Hot Springs of Zarqa Ma´in |
| 3.8. | Biblical Sites in Jordan |
| 3.8.1. | The
Biblical Sites from North to South; Gadara, Anjara, Pella, Bethany, Machaerus, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, the Kings´Highway, Wadi Musa, Sodom & Gomorra, Ayla |
| 3.9. | Nature Reserves in Jordan; Wadi Rum, Dana, Zubia, Azraq, Shaumari |
| 4. | The Tourist Facilities in Jordan |
| 4.1. | Transportation;
Flight Connections, Tourist Buses, Bus-, Train-, Ferry-Connections; Car Rental and Driving in Jordan |
| 4.2. | Communication |
| 4.3. | Sports; Aquatic Sports and Diving; Horseback Riding and Camel Trips; Ballooning; Glimbing and Hang-gliding |
| 4.4. | Culture and Entertainment; Museums and Galleries; Festivals; Other Entertainments |
| 4.5. | Restaurants |
| 4.6. | Shopping and Souvenirs |
| 4.7. | Tourist Guides |
| 4.8. | Accommodation; |
| 5. | Incentive Travel |
| 5.1. | Incentive Special Events |
| 6. | Helpful Facts about Jordan |
| 6.1. | Best Time to Travel and Safty |
| 6.2. | Tipping (Bakshish) |
| 6.3. | Holidays, Ramadan, Business Hours |
| 6.4. | Local Customs - How to Dress? |
| 6.5. | Electric Current, Water Supply |