Some 128 people landed in Hamad Medical Corp.’s emergency room complaining of stomach upsets and intestinal problems on the first day of Ramadan yesterday, the Peninsula reports.

That number is only expected to go up this month, doctors told the newspaper, especially after iftaar, the time that Muslims break their fast.

The health problems have been criticized by some scholars here as part of a larger problem of over-consumption during the holy month, spurring a debate about the “right” way to celebrate Ramadan.

The Peninsula reports: 

It is a matter of growing concern that the food intake of fellow Muslims doubles during the holy month, household expenses rise and people spend more and more time seeking ways of entertaining themselves than praying, said (Fanar’s Sheikh Abdussalam Al Basuini).

When asked about people revelling the whole night during Ramadan with many visiting ‘sheesha joints’, playing billiards, driving around and spending time in cafeterias that are open the whole night, the Islamic scholar said: “This is all against the spirit of the holy month and the spirit of Islam.”

To be fair, there was also a marked uptick in the number of people attending Friday and Taraweeh prayers, Gulf Times reports.

Do you think people in Qatar have lost the true meaning of Ramadan?

Or is being social a big part of what makes the month special?

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Renee S