It's time to celebrate and rejoice

As the fasting month comes to a close Muslims worldwide prepare for another memorable Eid celebration.

A month of reflection and fasting draws to an end, as the faithful prepare for the festival of Eid.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, is revered as the most sacred time of the year for more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. They look forward to Ramadan and Eid in anticipation of the days to come — adults are eager to spend time in quiet contemplation of their religion, and children look to emulate their parents and older siblings in holy rituals and customs. But what does Ramadan actually mean to a Muslim, and must you also be Muslim to enjoy this blessed month?

Take a moment to pause and observe people going about their everyday errands, and you will notice the pace is slower in Ramadan and there is a sense of calm and serenity in the air. "This is a peaceful month for us. Our focus is on our religion and our relationship with Allah — we distance ourselves from everyday issues and concentrate on being the best Muslim we can be," says Ali, an engineer.

Each individual is accountable only to Allah and this is what makes fasting special, says Ali. "Nobody but Allah knows if I kept my fast or not, or if I prayed, and this makes me feel closer to Allah."

Community spirit is also stronger during the fasting month, according to Ali. "It's such a pleasure to be among fellow Muslims as we pray and take iftar together, and it's reassuring to have the support of those around you during the long days of fasting," he says.

Patience revisited

For Waleed, a guide at the Shaikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding, Ramadan is a time to focus on Islam and its true meaning – a time to reflect on one's behaviour and attitude throughout the year. "It's the holy month," he says. "It takes you far from bad things, and makes you patient."

But what of those who are unable to participate — for example, those who cannot afford to make the contribution to charity required of them in Islam? Waleed explains they need not feel excluded, as Allah understands they are not able to fulfil these requirements.

"There is no obligation upon them to make up for this in other ways," he says. "But if you want to do good deeds, of course you can and you will be rewarded. Even smiling at your neighbour is seen as charitable." Those who are exempt from fasting may be required to make up their fasts at a later date, or provide food for the needy instead of fasting themselves.

For many UAE residents, louder and more frequent azans — calls to prayer — are the most noticeable signs that Ramadan is upon us once more, along with restrictions on eating, drinking and smoking in public. Many non-Muslims try to enter into the Ramadan spirit and experience the fasting month first hand. "I have attended iftar in Emirati, Bahraini, Egyptian and Saudi homes," says one Canadian expatriate. "When I moved to Dubai, I had absolutely no idea what joys were awaiting me [in] Ramadan. The hospitality during Ramadan amazes me."

Joy of sharing

Some non-Muslims also attempt to fast throughout the day, to know what it feels like for their Muslim counterparts, although this is not obligatory. As the expatriate says, "I always make it quite clear [to my hosts] I am not fasting — it doesn't make a difference to them."

Muslims appreciate such gestures to understand Islam and its customs. "My Muslim friends and colleagues are always overjoyed when others take an interest in their religion and traditions," says the expatriate.

"Before coming to Dubai I worked in Toronto where we had many fasting Muslims in the office. As managers, we would accommodate them [by] changing their working hours to finish so they could get home for iftar, but we had no idea about anything else surrounding Ramadan."

After nine years in Dubai, this lack of awareness has been transformed into a thirst for education. "[My participation] has really broadened my knowledge of Islam, and has really helped me understand why things happen the way they do in Ramadan," she says.

As the fasting month draws to a close and Muslims prepare for Eid celebrations, the calm and serenity is replaced by excitement and anticipation. New clothes will be bought and homes decorated ready to receive guests, while kitchens will be stocked up in preparation for feasting. If an invite finds its way to you, it would be worthwhile accepting – as both Muslims and non-Muslims alike can enjoy the magic of Ramadan and Eid.