Ramadan In The Digital Age

Who would’ve thought that blogs, social networking, SMS messages and the Internet in general, would be such a Ramadan-enabler, creating what is perhaps a Ramadani Web 2.0 subculture in the Arabian peninsula. Here’s a sampling of just some of the SMS messages that arrived to my cell phone since Ramadan began…

[translated from Arabic] The month of Ramadan is approaching. My your year be blessed. In accordance to the economic circumstances and the rise in prices, this blessing is valid for one year and includes: Ramadan, Eid il-Fitr, Eid il-Adha, Marriages, New Year, and the Prophet pbuh’s birthday.

Another “joke”…

Tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan! It was announced in Tafeelah where witnesses saw the crescent moon on an ambulance!

Consumerism…

Shawkat Shami Fine Jewelry Salon would like to wish you a blessed Ramadan, and gladly announce our biggest campaign ever. Don’t miss your opportunity to win.

Clever consumerism…

Why stand in line for ur katayef when we can deliver it to ur door. Join our Ramadniay nights @ crumz while enjoying ur hubbly bubbly. For delivery call 5920102

To the point…

HomeCentre. Ramadan Kareem. New collections in store!

Ramadan By Credit?

Many opportunities to win with Audi Bank Visa. Ramadan Kareem!

Ramadan Lottery…

Participate with Orange by sending “Ramadan” to 99599 and answer three questions to enter a daily draw for 100JDs. Participate daily to enter the weekly draw for 1,000JDs and the grand prize at the end of the month for 10,000JDs. SMS costs 10 piasters each.

Prayers By SMS…

Say your “Prayers upon the Prophet” ten times and tend it to ten friends and within one hour you will have a million Prayers upon the Prophet in your “scale” [“book”]. Don’t let this message end with you.