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From friends to family, Ramadan unites people
Gulf News asks UAE residents how they spend their time after iftar.
- By Mariam M. Al Serkal and Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporters
- Published: 09:44 August 30, 2009
Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Though it is a period of abstinence from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to practise self-sacrifice.
Ramadan is more than just not eating and drinking - it is about strengthening ties with family and friends as well as breaking bad habits, such as gossiping and swearing. So, after the sun sets, how do residents spend their time?
Gulf News took to the streets and asked residents how they spend their time after iftar, the end of the day's fast, and how different this year is from last year.
Yaseen Yaseen, an Iraqi manager, 31, said: "I always like to relax indoors and spend time with family and friends. But if I have to go out, it will be for family gatherings where we'll sit in a coffee shop or a restaurant and have some food."
Hassan Attaya, a businessman from Syria, 29, said: "Other years during Ramadan I would go and do some exercise after iftar but this year I had an operation, so I can't do that. After eating my meal I rest for an hour or two, and afterwards I take my car to my favourite spot and go walking for up to three hours sometimes.
"I don't like to go to Ramadan tents, but maybe once a week, when my friends insist, I go out for shisha so we can catch up on how everybody's doing," he added.
Filipina waitress Jennifer Cristobal, 29, said: "There are a lot of shopping malls where I live, in Deira, so I usually go out with my cousins and we walk around on the weekends. We hardly do any shopping, but it is one of the places where we can get out of the house and still have air conditioning."
Huthaifa Ahmad, an 18-year-old Emirati university student, said: "The time after iftar is usually spent with friends. We hang out at shopping malls like Marina Mall, for instance. Sometimes, say once or twice a week, we also go to cafés and enjoy staying there for a long time. It was the same last year, and we did pretty much the same things."
Amal Mohammad, 35, an engineer from Egypt, said: "I work two shifts during Ramadan and so by the evening I feel very tired. After iftar, prayers take up most of my time. By then it is time to sleep. During Ramadan, I do not usually go for long shopping hours. Sleeping early is important so that I can get up on time for suhour."
Doha Al Wazany, 30, a senior communications coordinator from Palestine, said: "Ramadan is a great month ... After iftar, I have many activities to do that include prayers at a masjid, attending the religious lectures that are held in the town."
Have your say
How do you celebrate iftar? What do you look forward to most during Ramadan?
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