Dear Ali: I’m a newcomer to the UAE and I know it’s the holy month, but I don’t have enough information about it. So what is Ramadan? DT, Dubai
Dear DT: First of all, welcome to the UAE, and welcome to our unique hot summer – unique because it's Ramadan. I always say if you ever visit the UAE in the summer, you're doing something others are unlikely to do. If you visit the UAE during Ramadan then you're very smart because you will experience a lot of social and cultural activities, but if you visit when it's summer and Ramadan then you've hit the lottery because this doesn't happen all the time. The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which has 10 to 11 fewer days than the Gregorian calendar, so in a few years we will be fasting during winter again.
Every day during this month Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. The fast is intended to purify the body, but Ramadan is also a time for purification of the mind and spirit through increased prayer. Children usually begin fasting at the age of 7, although only for half the day at first. The sick, elderly or those who are travelling do not need to fast, but should make up for it with increased prayer or charity.
A typical Ramadan night starts with a call to the evening (maghrib) prayer, which signifies the breaking of the sawm (fast). The fast is usually broken with a date and a cup of yogurt. The maghrib is followed by iftar (which translates as breakfast) – harees, thareed and green salad are popular dishes.
Iftar is followed by the isha or evening prayer. Muslims can also do a taraweeh (comforting) prayer to soothe the body and mind after a hard day of fasting.
During Ramadan, families and communities come together and strengthen their bonds. A sense of charity increases and people feel more responsible and generous towards those who are in need, which is something that is good for every society.
The change in eating habits alters the biological clock, and during Ramadan most socialising takes place in the evening. Many sporting and cultural events are held at this time, often not winding down until the early hours. Before the sun comes up followers wake for suhoor, which is a light meal – ideally without meat – consisting of leftovers from iftar and pitta bread. There is a short period known as imsak, in which we stop eating, then we engage in the fajr (dawn) prayer.
Dear Ali: What would be the best way to greet someone in the UAE or an Arab in general, especially during Ramadan? SE, Abu Dhabi
Dear SE: Assalamu alaykum, which means peace be upon you; and mubarak alaik (male) or alaych (female) al shahar, which means God's blessings on you for the arrival of the holy month. This is said to people in the Gulf because it's more in keeping with the dialect. When you want to share this with an Arab, just remember that not every Arab is a Muslim, even though many of my Christian and Jewish Arab friends wouldn't mind replying to the greeting because Ramadan is not only a religious occasion, but also a social and cultural one. Our societies are mixed with all faiths and cultures, and so most Muslims, whether they are Arab or not, would understand and appreciate the classic Arabic language greeting which is: Ramadan Mubarak.
Ali Al Saloom is a cultural adviser and public speaker from the UAE. Follow @AskAli on Twitter, and visit www.ask-ali.com to ask him a question and to find his guidebooks to the UAE, priced at Dh50.
