![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YH2PDGDRVCBRLQRSKCZK6EWY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=67109c2b83a7f34a863064467fc802893b777d662ef82649fe30f802b10e813a&width=400&height=225)
'It troubles me that the essence of fasting, the discipline, the compassion and the community spirit are aspects that seem weaker now,' says the father
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/REFFPBQTFZGOZPVTAFJTMSVNOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=05d76a8bbc59ca1ba0b01d09a1539cdd0e6ad5f2a6af8bc8a7e606c911582e71&width=400&height=225)
Saeed Nouri Al Tareefi with his wife Nahla Abu Dheis and their family at their home in Ajman. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YGWL7KYFAZCPXHLZERHHGB6KH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9b3c60439bbae1b14e99b5357d230764e878577e81bd1864953c3021ee207d33&width=400&height=225)
He said his family like to focus on the communal and spiritual elements of Ramadan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I37XLLDHHBEE7DEOQXJNLRCBJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a89e3a48bec13e26cae6daceaf5389fa4f1bdfa0802528e6c33214b36a15ac1e&width=400&height=225)
'The sound of the cannon at sunset, the drum of the Mesaharati, these were the sounds of joy and of unity,' he says
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZFSNS6IZX5GABH3HTT5MIIDEXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bcb1778a6ffe9a68473189f788ba7a1935bc7ed9aa748a74fc922db3a40ed260&width=400&height=225)
The family believe more recent customs indicate a commercialisation of the holy month
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YH2PDGDRVCBRLQRSKCZK6EWY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=67109c2b83a7f34a863064467fc802893b777d662ef82649fe30f802b10e813a&width=400&height=225)
'It troubles me that the essence of fasting, the discipline, the compassion and the community spirit are aspects that seem weaker now,' says the father
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/REFFPBQTFZGOZPVTAFJTMSVNOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=05d76a8bbc59ca1ba0b01d09a1539cdd0e6ad5f2a6af8bc8a7e606c911582e71&width=400&height=225)
Saeed Nouri Al Tareefi with his wife Nahla Abu Dheis and their family at their home in Ajman. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YGWL7KYFAZCPXHLZERHHGB6KH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9b3c60439bbae1b14e99b5357d230764e878577e81bd1864953c3021ee207d33&width=400&height=225)
He said his family like to focus on the communal and spiritual elements of Ramadan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I37XLLDHHBEE7DEOQXJNLRCBJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a89e3a48bec13e26cae6daceaf5389fa4f1bdfa0802528e6c33214b36a15ac1e&width=400&height=225)
'The sound of the cannon at sunset, the drum of the Mesaharati, these were the sounds of joy and of unity,' he says
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZFSNS6IZX5GABH3HTT5MIIDEXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bcb1778a6ffe9a68473189f788ba7a1935bc7ed9aa748a74fc922db3a40ed260&width=400&height=225)
The family believe more recent customs indicate a commercialisation of the holy month
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YH2PDGDRVCBRLQRSKCZK6EWY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=67109c2b83a7f34a863064467fc802893b777d662ef82649fe30f802b10e813a&width=400&height=225)
'It troubles me that the essence of fasting, the discipline, the compassion and the community spirit are aspects that seem weaker now,' says the father
Ramadan through the generations: One UAE family's journey of faith and tradition
Muslim family reflect on how holy month has changed over three generations
![Salam Al Amir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F14cf208b-b6e1-4168-b2d6-fc412e925845.png?smart=true&auth=e3387949bf35bf75999cb80683180b835359c18c3a7854732b369d5d38909e7d&width=70&height=70)
Salam Al Amir
11 March, 2024
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