{"id":5358,"date":"2025-05-01T11:57:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T07:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcmmediahub.aus.edu\/?p=5358"},"modified":"2025-10-20T07:46:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T03:46:43","slug":"the-spirit-of-togetherness-celebrating-ramadan-in-the-uae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mcmmediahub.aus.edu\/index.php\/2025\/05\/01\/the-spirit-of-togetherness-celebrating-ramadan-in-the-uae\/","title":{"rendered":"The Spirit of Togetherness: Celebrating Ramadan in the UAE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Sabah Zaheer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharjah– <\/strong>At seven years old, I observed my first Ramadan fast, thrilled despite the hunger. Fasting meant joining the magic of Ramadan, extra samosas, counting seconds to the call to prayer with cousins, and decorating the house with twinkling moon-shaped lights while wearing my favorite bejeweled dress. Beyond food and fun, it was the sense of belonging that filled me with joy, a feeling of being part of something bigger. Years later, the warmth of Ramadan persists in crowded iftar tents, tight rows at the masjid, and family-filled iftar tables. Fasting is more than hunger and discipline; it\u2019s about unity across generations, cities, and backgrounds, breaking bread as one. In the United Arab Emirates, diverse cultures unite to celebrate Ramadan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginnings of the Holy Month<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to \u201cUnderstanding Ramadan<\/em>\u201d by Muhammed Muhsin Khan, Ramadan began around 610 A.D., when Prophet Muhammad received the Quran\u2019s divine revelation. This month of fasting and spiritual contemplation involves abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk, while emphasizing charity, kindness, togetherness, and piety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sighting of the crescent moon marks Ramadan\u2019s start. Though not originally an Islamic symbol, the crescent moon became associated with Islam during the 18th-century Ottoman Empire, per Wikipedia. Muslims use the lunar calendar<\/a>, based on the moon\u2019s eight phases, to determine religious dates. A new Islamic month begins with a new moon, signaling Ramadan\u2019s onset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe crescent moon of Ramadan has appeared, so glorify Allah as much as a Muslim can,\u201d says Imam Walid Al Marzooqi of Masjid Yousef Abdullah Al-Jaziri in Al-Mizhar, who leads Taraweeh<\/em> and Qiyam<\/em> prayers during Ramadan. He urges Muslims to maximize the holy month\u2019s blessings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramadan\u2019s arrival is marked by fanoos<\/em> lanterns and sparkling lights at home entrances. As a child, my friends and I hosted themed iftar parties, excitedly decorating with fanoos, \u201cRamadan Mubarak\u201d banners, and colorful paper moons and stars. My mother and I crafted unique themes for each Ramadan iftar, a cherished tradition where every detail felt meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UAE residents adorn homes with moon-shaped banners, lanterns, and colorful lights to embrace the Ramadan spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UAE residents decorate homes with lights and lanterns<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From <\/strong>Suhoor<\/strong><\/em> to <\/strong>Qiyam<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 3 a.m., alarm clocks and hurried kitchen hands signal suhoor, the pre-dawn meal vital for energy, endurance, and spiritual discipline during fasting. Most UAE residents eat light, protein-rich, hydrating foods for suhoor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aniqa Arshad, a University of Melbourne student, says, \u201cI feel less hungry when I eat lighter, hydrating foods like a yogurt bowl with fruit and protein like an egg.\u201d Such meals keep her energized without feeling heavy. Muslims believe suhoor carries blessings, favored by Prophet Muhammad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Islam\u2019s diversity means Ramadan is celebrated globally across varying time zones. Fasting hours, from dawn to dusk, differ by location due to Earth\u2019s orbit. In 2025, UAE Muslims fasted for 13 hours, reaching 13 hours and 42 minutes by month\u2019s end, per Khaleej Times<\/em>. Globally, fasting ranges from 12 to 16 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fasting hours during Ramadan vary by location and time<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These hours are for prayer, Quran recitation, and charity. Since the Quran was revealed during Ramadan, many Muslims, like my family, aim to recite it entirely over 30 days, often together reading in groups, sharing verses\u2019 meanings, and playfully racing to finish first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iftar, the meal breaking the fast, is Ramadan\u2019s highlight, offering relief from hunger and thirst. UAE families serve diverse spreads. \u201cRamadan in Dubai is the best,\u201d says Mohammed Zameer, an Indian expatriate in the UAE since the 2000s. \u201cThe Taraweeh<\/em>, qiraat<\/em>, atmosphere, and iftars are unmatched.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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