Ramadhan in the UAE

My first Ramadhan in UAE
- Witnessing the holy month in the melting pot of Middle East
This is my first Ramadhan in UAE and also the first outside my home country. Observing Ramadhan while being away from one’s family is quite strange as this is the time for bonding with the family, friends and also getting to understand one’s self better. The period of fasting, prayer and charity is meant for self-purification.
One of the simplest acts which has a deep meaning is that of breaking the fast. Going to the mosque in the evening for Iftaar, sitting amidst other Muslims of all ages and social classes and sharing the iftaar food is a great social leveller. At a very basic level, it tells us that we are all one - that our needs at a very basic level are all the same. We strive and put in efforts for the same basic necessities - food, clothing and shelter. In this, we are all the same and have the same destiny. The level at which we may put in effort and gain results may be different, but very fundamentally; we are all equal in this respect. We share a common destiny and this act of breaking the fast - with people of all social and economic classes brings this truth to light very powerfully. One is humbled with this realisation and cannot but help feel a sense of gratitude for the food before us. Hunger is the great leveller. Infact, with the media portraying the month of Ramadhan as a month of excessive consumption, the truth is very different. Ramadhan is about developing a sense of gratitude, and thankfulness for what we have - both in terms of material wealth and also peace of mind. The act of sharing our food, of charity, giving drive home this truth.
Iftaar evenings are also a good opportunity for expats and non-Muslims to get to know the Islamic practices better. The various hotels in Dubai offer iftaar dinners. These are meant for both muslims and non-muslims alike and give a good peek into the cuisine as well as the culture of the Arab world. During one such evening, I heard some soulful Oudh music as well as got to sample delicious mezze and kebabs at one of the better hotels in town. And not surprisingly, half the guests at the restaurant were expats. Most of them seemed to be non-muslims. These occassions also serve as good “ice-breakers” for the non-Muslims to get to know the Arab and Muslim culture up-close.

What I notice in Dubai during Ramadhan is a general sense of piety and calm. Right from the roads which are less clogged to the office environment which seems more serene; there is an overall calming effect. Even the irate taxi drivers are complaining less and being more tolerant, perhaps imbibing one of the key lessons of fasting - patience.

Reduced working hours, fewer vehicles on the road, people who are consciously trying to “do good”, through charity, organizing various initiatives - such as a charity donation drive at the major malls in the city ( Mall of Emirates and Deira city centre) are some of the key highlights of the month which are visible to the onlooker who is looking at the month from the outside.
For an insider, the view is even more spectacular. There is not only a greater satisfaction in doing the everyday acts - of fasting, praying and being aware of the various things that we need to be thankful and grateful to god for. If there is one emotion that captures the spirit of the month, it is this sense of gratitude and thankfulness that the month tries to imbibe.