Ramadan is a time when all barriers of wealth, stature, superiority and class, come down. It is truly admirable when you witness people from other faiths, too, joining in for the fasting. While some fast as a sign of support for their Muslim friends, others view it as a period of self-discovery. Most believe that Ramadan provides an opportunity to bond with family and friends; while others rue the highly commercial nature that the month is fast taking on. What does Ramadan mean to you?
Ramadan brings the family together.
Ramadan brings together not just the family but also friends and neighbours. Those fasting get together at iftar. The get-togethers allow for greater bonding between people through values and affection. The joy of charity, done either individually or as a group, cleanses the soul and helps to understand the needs of the poor. Ramadan also encourages spirituality.
? Mr Shahul Kabeer
Dubai
Ramadan is a great chance for families to spend more time together, mainly because all members of the family finish their work almost at the same time. My family enjoys iftar and suhoor meals together and organise charity events. I feel great to go to the mosque with them. Ramadan emphasises the need for all Muslims to unite by forgetting their differences.
? Ms Hessah Sultan Ali
Dubai
Ramadan brings together families, only if they are living in the same city. However, as is the case with a lot of nuclear families nowadays, the children are either studying abroad or living someplace else. It's usually at Eid that most people return home. Also, there are families who are just too busy to fast and hence do not believe in the sanctity of the holy month.
? Ms Mariam Sharaf Al Deen
Dubai
Ramadan definitely brings the entire family together. The relaxed timings both for working parents and pupils, give each enough time to recuperate, go for prayers together, eat together and discuss issues that otherwise time constraints would not allow. Our family has a tradition of sharing at least one meal with our neighbours each week during Ramadan.
? Mr Syed Jamil Zubair
Ajman
Overeating of high-fat foods at iftar negates the benefits of abstinence.
When my family and I fast for Ramadan, we try to avoid overeating, especially after sunset. The wide variety of sweets that are available on offer whenever you visit families and relatives aren't that good for you. This is particularly true when you consider the risks of overeating ? obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.
? Mr Mohammad P. M
Dubai
I wait patiently for Ramadan. For others and me, it's a beautiful time. This is because I feel more energetic. There's a pleasant aura all around. Just because you've fasted throughout the day doesn't mean you need to indulge in fatty or fried foods after breaking fast. By doing this, you lose the entire meaning of the act.
? Mr Asif Seddiqi
Sharjah
As quoted by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), all you need is a couple of dates and a little bit of milk to get you through a fast. The fast not only serves a spiritual purpose but also helps detoxify the body. Eating a lot of rich and fat-containing foods negates both purposes.
? Mr Hussain Ali
Sharjah
Fasting is a good thing, as it helps clean up the internal system, it can be hard ? whenever I decide to fast that's when I get the hungriest. However, eating a lot of high-fat foods will only lead to lethargy. Although, I would like to get a better understanding of why drinking water is not allowed.
? Ms Asha Samtani
Dubai
Fast-paced existence is making people abandon tradition.
Most individuals look after themselves and don't care about other people. People can't concentrate on praying, visiting family or other traditional activities because they're too focused on maintaining their business and other affairs. This seems to be especially the case here, where everyone is so rushed and everything is in fast mode.
? Mr Shaheeb K. P.
Dubai
Traditional values are learnt from within the family. If a person abandons them, it's because they weren't inculcated in a proper manner. Even things like the internet and other technologies can help bring people and communities together. Cultures might progress and go through various cycles, but that doesn't mean one should abandon tradition.
? Ms Jane Waddick
Dubai
Technological advancement is everywhere and more so in the UAE. Everything today is either computerised or automated, leading to a drastic change in the generation's thinking and lifestyle. Many simple things like families spending quality time together have been sidelined. Nowadays, everything is geared towards an individual as opposed to a community.
? Mr Mohammad Asif
Dubai
There's always a struggle between the older and younger generations. Still, our fast-paced society doesn't necessarily mean that people are abandoning tradition. Here people seem to hold on to their traditions, while accepting a fast-paced life.room?
? Mr Sungdol Kim
Dubai
Ramadan is becoming highly commercialised.
Ramadan has turned into a highly commercialised event. A week before Ramadan, we have various supermarkets giving full page ads that talk about their discounted prices on all basic food items and other household goods. Ramadan shopping festivals that offer bargains galore are also a must during the month.
? Mr Nizar Majeed
Sharjah
Advertisements highlighting various offers during Ramadan flooded shopping malls and food outlets, even before the month had started. Different hotels have attractive offers as a part of their Ramadan buffet. People have forgotten the true purpose of Ramadan. Readymade meals are replacing traditional food. Where earlier families would get together at home, they now do so in hotels. It applies not just to Ramadan but to all festivals.
? Ms Shemeem Shafique
Dubai
It is commercial to some extent but no matter how commercialised people try to make it, it's always going to be a spiritual experience. The actual practices and feelings people get are not commercial. People get excited and interested about it with or without the commercialisation. It's mostly innate for an individual.
? Ms Rajni Panjabi
Dubai
People are trying to fast and focus during Ramadan, but there are all these ads for discounts. This is especially frustrating with food sales. When people are fasting they're trying to abstain from food and all the alluring ads for Eid seem to be a little distracting. It seems like people might utilise the time to lure people to buy more, which a lot do.
? Mr Sari Filimban
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
