This Little Piggy Stayed Home

Well, we've seen the full moon, so the first half of the month is behind us. As the round moon gets slimmer, we approach with great anticipation the events which await us at the end of Ramadan...

I told you already how fasting is an important part of the Ramadan tradition and good Muslims restrict their eating during this month. But did you know that there are certain foods that are to be avoided all throughout the year?

"What meat are Muslims not allowed to eat?"
"Meat from the pig"

This is a Muslim country and its regulations are founded on Shariah law. This means that, not only are Muslims not allowed to eat any food product that came from a pig, but no one else is either! It's not even allowed in the country. If you tried to bring some in, packed inside your luggage, the eagle-eyed customs guys are likely to spot it on their X-ray screen. If they find it, they take it.

Any products even containing pork as an ingredient is banned. I know one young lady who brought back a snack she missed from Canada: a can of the humble Vienna sausage. Now, if you've ever read the label, you'll know that these bite-sized wieners may or may not contain pork (hence the nickname "and/or's"). But even the suspicion of pork is enough; that little can never left the airport.

I know of another case where a vacuum-packed chunk of salt beef, destined for a gurgling pot of jig's dinner, was scrutinized by a fastidious customs agent. Maybe he suspected that some clever person had relabelled a pork roast (the very idea!). He sent it off for testing.

So all this means no Canadian bacon with your eggs. No pork chops for the barbeque. Not even any scruncheons for your fish and brewis!

Well, people love photos. There aren't any piggies around here to take pictures of, but we do have camels. Here are a couple of camels I met in Dubai.


If I stop by your house this Christmas, I hope there's some "curly-tailed beef" on the menu!