As we approach the 30-day mark to Ramadan, preparations are set to begin in earnest.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will soon commence preparing its extensive campaign to accommodate the needs of worshippers and visitors throughout the holy month, which is expected to begin around March 1.
The Emirates Red Crescent and other accredited humanitarian organisations are likely to activate their large pool of volunteers to participate in various activities, ranging from preparing thousands of iftar meals to assisting in ferrying elderly and differently abled worshippers to prayer halls.
Meanwhile, venues across the UAE, from prestigious hotels to exhibition halls, will start construction on their Ramadan tents.
With all that going on, where does that leave the rest of us observers? Are we meant to be passive bystanders, simply hoping our minds, bodies, and souls make the sharp adjustment once the holy month begins? Well, we can – and I have done that in the past – but it doesn’t necessarily make for the most effective way to welcome and fully appreciate the transformative benefits of Ramadan.
Like the best of actions, whether in the spiritual or worldly realm, intention is key. This means preparing our hearts, minds and bodies in advance to enter Ramadan not gingerly or grudgingly, but as active wayfarers on a spiritual journey.
Or, as my mum would put it in her trademark precise terms: "It's time to get real with yourself."
Ramadan is not only a spiritual pause from the daily grind of life, but also an opportunity to cultivate character traits benefitting us long after the month ends.
Perhaps now is the time to address and begin curbing some of our bad habits, with the hope of eliminating them from our lives entirely. For me, that’s often the most challenging aspect. Forgoing food and drink feels relatively easy compared to letting go of certain destructive traits. Saying "Eid Mubarak" is far easier than saying "I'm sorry" to those wronged.
I’ve often found that the days leading up to Ramadan provide the right framework and social atmosphere to make these changes and exchanges feel more achievable.
As we love making plans for Eid holidays, from where to visit and experience, the same effort can also be placed in preparing for this form of internal travel.
Upon the advice of some good friends, I have begun planning my calendar in advance. I have rescheduled coming tasks and meetings for periods of the fasting day where I would be the most productive. I also cleared engagements from the last 10 days of Ramadan, which this year will likely fall around March 20. This is not only the most spiritual period of the holy month, but also a time when many Muslims embrace a more nocturnal lifestyle, participating in the extra prayers held during the early hours of the morning.
However, reaping the full spiritual benefits can only come from a healthy foundation. Hence, I will be rearranging exercise sessions to be held later in the evening from the first day of Ramadan. From prior experience, it helps regulate my blood pressure – especially when dehydration can cause fluctuations – and prevents muscle loss. It is also important to note while fasting is compulsory for most adult Muslims, it only applies to those who are healthy enough to do so. If you have genuine health risks, such as chronic diabetes, it is best to begin consulting with a doctor to ensure you are medically fit to fast.
Finally, Ramadan doesn’t have to mean adopting a completely austere lifestyle. Creating the right atmosphere at home also goes a long way in setting the tone for the month and putting you in the right frame of mind. This is something I am learning from my wife, who approaches Ramadan with aplomb and decorates the house with sparkling lanterns in the days leading up to the first iftar. Meanwhile, my cousin has a Ramadan calendar and does a daily countdown, bringing a sense of anticipation and excitement which his young children love.
These ideas may seem like common sense, but I’ve found that with every Ramadan I am fortunate enough to experience, these little gestures bring me closer to the sense of peace and gratitude I’m always striving to find.
