Fasting is food for thought for UAE resident

Lalan Purnama, an Indonesian expatriate who has lived in the UAE for 15 years, says the hot weather of the country and long hours of fasting give a great feeling of better understanding of the meaningShow more

ABU DHABI // Fifteen hours without food and water may seem like a struggle for some, but for many of the capital’s Muslim residents, the practice offers respite.

“Ramadan for me is a month long ethical training, to attain the pleasure of Allah and realising the distress of the starving and poor,” said Indonesian expatriate Lalan Purnama.

Mr Purnama, who has lived in the UAE for 15 years, said he has never missed a day’s fast. The harsh weather that has coincided with Ramadan over the last few years only serves to make people more appreciative of what they have, he said.

“The hot weather of the country and long hours of fasting give a great feeling of better understanding of the meaning of Ramadan,” Mr Purnama said.

For the expat, the long fasting hours were not something he was used to back home.

“In my country it is only for 13 hours, as it [Indonesia] falls on the Earth’s equator area, while the temperature fluctuates between 32°C and 34°C around the year,” the senior system analyst said.

He said the fasting teaches self-control and stops people giving into temptation and minimised the chances of committing sins.

He did concede that fasting and being dehydrated for the entire day can make you less efficient and productive at work.

“That’s why the government here supports the cause and reduces the working hours,” he said.

“I find there is a great environment for Ramadan in the UAE as our working hours are reduced to six from eight each year,” he said.

He said it is also a time when charity becomes all the more important.

“We just collect donations and zakat money among our community people and spend on the welfare of housemaids and also buy air tickets to return home, if they need it.”

He said a lot of money is also sent to Indonesia to help the poor.