UAE | Heritage and Culture
Ramadan: A celebration with friends for Dubai-based manager
Commotion, laughter, discussions and quality time with loved ones - Ramadan brings much more to Mariam Merjanova's iftar table than just the traditional dates and water.
- By Sanya Nayeem, Community Journalist
- Published: 23:44 August 28, 2008
- Commotion, laughter, discussions and quality time with loved ones - Ramadan brings much more to Mariam Merjanova's iftar table than just the traditional dates and water.
- Image Credit:
Dubai: Commotion, laughter, discussions and quality time with loved ones - Ramadan brings much more to Mariam Merjanova's iftar table than just the traditional dates and water.
Working as a production manager in Dubai, this Italian mother-of-one eagerly awaits the month every year, and not just for all the spiritual reward it brings.
She said: "My son and I usually spend Ramadan with my brothers and our friends. We all get together for iftar and have a wonderful time."
When she first arrived in Dubai nine years ago, Mariam said she did not know anyone in the country, and Ramadan was a very quiet affair.
Changed
She said: "Most of the time, it was just my son and me, or members of my family who happened to visit."
A lot has changed since.
Mariam said: "Most of the people I celebrate Ramadan and Eid with today are friends I have made over the years. They are like family to me, even though they are all from different nationalities."
The diversity of guests provides a unique atmosphere of festivity in the Merjanova household, but Mariam said she often regrets not knowing more people from her homeland living in Dubai.
"I wish I could find more Italian Muslims in the UAE so we could share in the nostalgia of our country's culture and traditions."
But in a land far away from Italy, Mariam said she has found a place she can truly call home, especially during Ramadan, when people from different backgrounds and ethnicities are united as brothers and sisters in faith.
"This month is special to me, and it has become even better now that I have family and friends here. Earlier, I used to feel alone, but today I have my dear ones with me and I can truly celebrate Ram-adan."
Share this article
More from UAE Heritage & Culture
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- DMA looks to infrastructure development
- Haj pilgrims from UAE get quality services
- There's something to sing and dance about in Sonapur
- Local students shine at Dubai media awards
- Charity trek to frozen heights raises Dh180,000
- Parents want pupils dropped off inside schools
- Community event to salute selfless citizens
- Time to properly deal with waste
- Focus on Guggenheim: Abu Dhabi keeps art lovers hooked
- Holidaymakers in UAE make a beeline to deserts during the cool season
- Five months later, same driver, same queue
- Metro has carried nearly 3m people
- Road work delay jams Deira
- Internet blamed for reading habit decline
- Youngsters arrested for violating decency laws
Community Reports
-
Keeping out curious cats in Abu Dhabi
Felines trapped in electrical substations create a nuisance
-
Construction site turned into dump
Sharjah residents using abandoned spot to dispose of waste
-
Stop disregarding road rules
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to curb reckless driving during rush hours in Mussafah industrial area underpass
-
Public transport is the way to go
Residents must stop complaining about feeder buses taking up parking space
