UAE | Heritage and Culture

UAE nationals forced to break with Ramadan tradition

Emiratis talk to Gulf News about how they observe Ramadan and forge links beween tradition and modernity.

  • By Hind Al Yousef, Community Web Journalist
  • Published: 23:44 August 28, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Just like Dubai has been changing rapidly in the past couple of years, so has Ramadan says Omar Al Busaidy, a 21-year-old Emirati.
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As the skyline of the UAE changes so do traditional practices, say young Emiratis.

"Just like Dubai has been changing rapidly in the past couple of years, so has Ramadan," Omar Al Busaidy, a 21-year-old Emirati, said.

"Four years ago, I used to sit with my family around one table for iftar - to break my fast, and later, we used to watch Arabic soap operas together."

Today, it's completely different for Omar. As a working student struggling with the fast-paced lifestyle of Dubai, it's almost impossible for him to have iftar with his family.

He said: "Working hours are so long, and even when I try to get home on time, it's impossible because of the traffic, and I end up having iftar at the nearest restaurant."

In Omar's opinion, that's only one of the many things that have changed about Ramadan in the recent years.

"Even my way of breaking my fast has become different these days," he said.

"As Emiratis, we have a tradition of breaking our fast with dates and coffee. As a result of coming together with different Arabs and Muslims, and because I have iftar outside my home, I have been forced to break that tradition."

According to Omar, many new concepts and practices have come up in Ramadan, which didn't exist a decade ago.

"The 'Ramadan tent', where people come together, eat, smoke, play video games and watch TV is a new aspect of Ramadan," he said. "Ramadan had a more spiritual, religious aspect to it. People also spent a lot of time with their families and relatives."

Perhaps it has a lot to do with people getting more career-oriented, inhibited by traffic and other commitments. He said: "There is no time at all for the Ramadan family gatherings anymore; it's all a rush. I miss the days I would spend Ramadan evenings with my family; but I don't have that as an option anymore."

Have you observed any changes in your Ramadan celebrations over the years? What is the most interesting aspect of celebrating Ramadan in the UAE? Send us your Ramadan experiences at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments


Your comments


Just like Christmas, Ramadan and Eid have become too commercialised. Nowadays, Ramadan is all about TV soaps and tents where people squander precious moments smoking shishas.
Fadi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 29, 2008, 12:32

A couple of years ago, all bridges at the Dubai Creek were beautifully lighted, all streets were full of Iftar tents and at Petrol stations, workers handed out dates and water once Iftar started. Today, Dubai is all about commercial Ramadan offers in hotels, restuarants and shopping malls. This is no Ramadan if you ask me!
Giovanni
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 29, 2008, 12:27

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