Abu Dhabi: Despite her Sudanese origins, Sara Gabbrallah has spent 23 Ramadans out of her 24 years in the UAE.
The diversity of nationalities residing in the UAE means that different cultures spend the month differently.
In Sara’s eyes, this makes Ramadan in the UAE a celebration of a unique nature.
“Ramadan in the UAE is actually very distinctive due to the multiculturalism in the country which allows people (have) diverse experiences,” she said.
Seeing the mosques brimming over with worshippers is a beautiful sight that Sara cannot appreciate enough.
However, because only her immediate family lives with her in the UAE, Sara sometimes misses the bigger gatherings that usually take place in Sudan where extended family members come together to end their fast.
It is also a month for Muslims and non-Muslims to learn more about the Islamic faith.
“I have noticed that non-Muslims like to observe Ramadan as well and they enjoy learning about our practices, try different foods, wear Emirati attire, Moroccan Jalabiyas etc,” she added.
Due to the large number of Muslims ready to answer questions, Sara feels that Ramadan provides an insightful opportunity for others to learn from.
“I think the month provides great exposure to the Islamic faith, because it could correct some misconceptions about Islam and allow people to see the peacefulness and greatness of this religion,” she added.
She said she is often asked questions on various practices of Ramadan including how the long hours of fasting are observed, the health challenges and so on.
She is always happy to answer these questions, she said.
The PR executive has also seen people change their lifestyles during the month as many use the no-smoking rule during fasting to break the habit altogether.
For Sara, the month’s first day is the most awaited and she looks forward to the daily Taraweeh prayers (performed after night prayers) during Ramadan.
