Abu Dhabi: The first-time experience of Ramadan for expatriates can differ from one country to another. For many of the UAE’s expats witnessing it for the first time, the holy month has been a wonderful experience with its many facets appealing to their sense of family values, compassion, generosity and harmony.
The daily iftar meals that are a fulcrum for friends and family to get together to partake of the end of the fast is a particularly warm and enriching experience. From hotel tents for iftar and the special night prayers (or Taraweeh in Arabic) to late mall opening hours, residents take in the spirit of Ramadan with eagerness and a sense of respect.
Although members of the public are advised to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public, in addition to wearing modest clothing, these rules are not considered burdensome by the majority and are observed as a courtesy towards worshippers.
The altruistic aspects of Ramadan such as the distribution of free daily iftar meals to labourers, to the less fortunate and the disabled provided by charities and government entities are a source of inspiration for first-time observers. Due to these initiatives and many others, expats from different backgrounds have been able to recognise the essence of charity that defines Ramadan and how it encourages community-based collaborations in helping those in need.
Gulf News spoke some Muslim and non-Muslim residents who are spending their first Ramadan in the country. Despite religious variations, both groups felt included and respected in the different activities of Ramadan and have built an understanding and appreciation of its spiritual, social and cultural significance.
What they say
Noora Luotola, 32:
“Although I have been in the UAE for three years, this is the first time I am spending Ramadan here. It’s quite fascinating. What I find very special is that it’s such a cultural melting pot so you not only end up learning about Ramadan, you also get to know the various cultures and traditions people have. I am quite fortunate to have nice colleagues who have taken the time to explain what Ramadan is. In my opinion, it’s very close to the way Christmas is celebrated around the world. It’s the season of giving.
“I find iftar tents very interesting. There is plenty of food and I discovered many dishes I have not tasted before. Iftar is over quite soon because everyone is so hungry at the start.
“During Ramadan, the reduced working hours mean I get to spend more time with friends and family.”
She currently does not have any children but once she does, Noora said she will approach a Muslim friend to explain to them what Ramadan is.
“Other than that, the little that I know about the holy month is that it’s really about giving back and doing good.”
Abdul Rafiu Nawal, 33:
“I find it much easier to observe a fast here than back in Sydney due to several reasons. First of all, the working hours are less and that gives me more time to rest and devote myself to worship. Plus, the fact that people are fasting here is taken into consideration. It is also a great help that people around me are abstaining from food, whether due to fasting or out of respect for Ramadan. I find it incredible that the whole community supports the month of Ramadan and that all the food outlets are closed and it is rare to find people selling food during the day.
“Although I haven’t really visited any tents yet, as I usually have my iftars at home, that meal is still my favourite part of the day. The general atmosphere associated with it, and the spiritual feel of that time, in addition to the night prayers afterwards, these are all very valuable to me. I haven’t really spoken to anyone back home about how it is here but I have tried to explain it to my non-Muslim friends and colleagues — the concept of Ramadan and the general process of it. They were respectful of it and they genuinely wanted to know about it. The holy month is definitely more festive here than in Australia. There are more decorations on the street and it’s generally a lot more significant.”
Ross York, 44:
“I missed the beginning of Ramadan because I was back home but so far it has been positive. It’s very inspiring to see the way Emiratis are so committed to it and how they look forward to it and become involved in it. I’ve also noticed that some people become a bit different at work. Ramadan can be compared to many spiritual activities around the globe. It is very interesting to see how Muslims talk to non-Muslims and expats about the holy month and how they respect us and our culture.
“This week I plan on visiting an iftar tent and enjoying the experience with my work colleagues. It is very exciting to realise that I come from a different country and have the privilege to enjoy this wonderful experience with fellow Muslims in the UAE. I understand that Ramadan is a month of fasting and generosity. It is a time for strong commitment and relaxation as well. Before coming here, I knew little about Ramadan except for the fasting part but even on that I had little knowledge. For example, I wasn’t familiar with iftar, the daily meals and the prayers.
“What’s really special is the kindness of people in the UAE during the month, and that’s probably my biggest observation [about Ramadan]. Personally, what I think is amazing is the commitment to the faith and it’s nice to see everyone doing it together. Giving up food and providing to those who are less fortunate is the very essence of Ramadan.”
Suvalin Alfanso, 29:
“I have been in the UAE for six months. I feel Ramadan is a nice period where people go outside together in groups. I feel good seeing this. During this month, I’ve noticed that more families go out with their children, whether to shop or have iftar at a restaurant or a mall. With everyone finishing work earlier, I think people have more time to spend with their loved ones.
“Sadly, I have not made any Muslim friends, so my knowledge about the holy month is based largely on what I have observed and the experiences I have had. Another feature of Ramadan is that stores have special offers and discounts.
“Honestly, if I weren’t spending Ramadan in the UAE, I would not have any idea about it. I feel like it’s a very vibrant and joyful time when people bond with one another and are more wholesome in general. I need to know more about it as I’m very new to Ramadan. I’d like to keep watching what’s happening around me. But just the sense that people are charitable and are enjoying each other’s company is enough to make me feel safer and happier that I’m spending it here in the UAE.”
Varun Bansal, 35:
“I’ve only spent 10 or 15 days in the UAE so far but my experience with Ramadan stretches across six countries. The last place I’ve been to was Oman where I lived for about six years, but prior to that, I was in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the US and India. What I have loved the most about the UAE’s verion of Ramadan is the most contemporary and it combines tradition with modernism. Meanwhile, many other places I’ve visited and lived in had a very rigid and traditional approach towards the holy month where non-Muslims were not really included in the daily activities.
“For example, working hours are reduced for everyone, whereas in other places they were only reduced for Muslims. Not being a Muslim allows me to see things from an outsider’s perspective and, according to what I’ve seen so far, it has been very nice, to say the least. I think the UAE has done a great job in letting everyone collaborate to mutually respect each other. If we work for longer hours during Ramadan it is by choice and not by mandate. This ultimately makes a big difference in making people feel like they’re a part of something. And I am looking forward to visiting iftar tents.”
Marc Herber, 26:
“I arrived in the UAE just after the end of last Ramadan. There are guidelines to be followed and [as a non-Muslim] you have to be aware that you cannot drink or eat in public.
“At work, for example, I think my workmates are a little bit more relaxed and when you’re driving you notice that the roads are quite empty. But at around seven o’clock, it feels as if everybody is rushing to go home and the roads become a bit dangerous.
“I have spoken to my Muslim friends and they taught me a little about Ramadan. They told me that Muslims experiencing this month should spend their time thinking pure thoughts and reading the Quran. I knew a little about Ramadan before I got to the UAE because I had a Muslim friend back home and he and his family would sit together and have a meal at around 6am before embarking on a fast.
“The charitable nature of people during this time and the way the country helps others is very nice.”
Hanafi Athena, 36:
“The length of the fasting period in the UAE is generally two hours longer than back in Indonesia. Coupled with that, there’s the heat which makes it a bit tough for us to fast in over 40 degrees Celsius temperature. Working hours are also different than they are back home. Although in Indonesia office timings also get reduced by one or two hours per day, public places like malls and bigger restaurants stay open.
The good thing about food outlets being closed during the holy month in the UAE is that we will not get tempted to prematurely end our fast. However, this also poses a problem as it becomes difficult to take away food for iftar since most open just an hour before sunset. In the UAE, it is very interesting to see people in mosques holding boxes of food for iftar. I find this very touching as it reveals the spirit of sharing that is enhanced during Ramadan. Further, it is interesting to see how the daytime is so different from the evenings when the streets are full of vehicles until after midnight and restaurants and refreshment stores stay open until 3am-4am. My family also enjoys it.
“My daughter finds the most exciting part is waiting for the cannon on Abu Dhabi TV to go off, and hearing her scream: ‘Daddy! They have shot the cannon!’”
Hande Unveren, 42:
“The festive mood of Ramadan is the unique feature I noticed about the holy month in the UAE. People waiting for iftar to end their fast with family, friends and colleagues makes the meal itself a celebration on its own. I have been attending many iftar ‘parties’ during this month and am enjoying them.
Back home, fasting during Ramadan is more flexible. However, I find that in the UAE the rules are strict and regulations are in place everywhere to facilitate fasting for those who do and prevent those who don’t from offending others. It is nice to see that everyone, especially those who do not fast, respectfully follow these rules and refrain from smoking, drinking or eating in public and wear modest clothing.
“I find this act of mutual respect to be a great thing. For all these reasons, I find it easier to fast in this country than I do back home. Many of my friends here have also said the same thing. Plus, I have kept my family and friends back home updated on my experiences here.”
With inputs from Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
