Dubai: For many people, getting together with the family is one of the most important rituals in Ramadan.
Twenty four-year-old Ali Rekaby from Egypt is no different. He agrees that family plays the main role in creating the Ramadan atmosphere. “I am not exactly sure why, but it’s always different to have family over for iftar during Ramadan rather than to have them over during any other time of the year,” he said. “There is a certain excitement to it,” he added. Ali who’s an internal auditor in Abu Dhabi explains that it’s a feeling he has experienced every Ramadan since childhood.
After the long hours of fasting, many families like to gather at sunset to break their fast together over iftar.
Ali and his family usually break their fast with a glass of warm milk, which contains dates. He describes it as “a good jolt of sugar to the system after a day of fasting.” Right after, the whole family joins together for sunset prayers. Following the prayers, Ali and his family gather around the dinner table for iftar. “As Egyptians, our iftar is usually a heavy meal, which is something I personally dislike,” Ali said. He explains that he prefers to have his heavy dinner after the Ramadan late evening prayers (Taraweeh) to avoid feeling sleepy during the prayers.
On most days, Ali spends the rest of the evening with his uncle and cousins enjoying the family gathering.
Jumana Khamis is a trainee at Gulf News.
