My Ramadan: Getting back to basics

Lena Al Suhaili, human resources director, BIC Middle East and Africa, at her residence. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

For Iraqi Lena Al Suhaili, Ramadan is a time to get back to the basics and reflect on the fundamentals in life.

“All you do is just give up food but in return you get everything. You get simplicity in life throughout your whole day. Ramadan is very much about the basics, about the family, about your inner self and about giving. It’s only a small thing that you give for all the things that you get in return,” said the Iraqi mother of two and the human resources director of Bic, Middle East and Africa.

“By nature I’m a very simple person. People complicate life. Your life becomes richer when you simplify it and go back to the basics and that’s the lesson that Ramadan reminds us of every year,” said Lena.

Lena grew up in Al Ain in the late 80s and early 90s where Ramadan had a different flavour. She said it was an organic upbringing with Emiratis which she credits for her “perfect” Emirati accent.

“When I was 11 years old we lived in a compound in Al Ain that consisted of 12 villas that housed mostly dentists and doctors who were expats from different nationalities.

“Every day the iftar was in a different place. We basically prepared for Ramadan for two days only throughout the month and rotated from house to house.”

“People aren’t as connected as that time when we were in Al Ain. It was a small town where everyone was close. It was also very simple. You didn’t have to overdo it with the food every day,” she said.

“The first time you complete your fast you feel like a superhero. You’re one of the grown-ups now,” she said.

Suhoor time was a fascinating experience for young Lena.

“Normally I would never wake up that early. It felt like we had a new bonding time with the family. It was very special to wake up very early in the day and share a meal with my family.”

She remembers drinking water by mistake during the fasting hours and feeling ashamed and guilty.

“Everyone explained it to me that it was OK to have this lapse.”

This rationale is reflected in Lena’s practice of Islam.

“People interpret the religion in different ways. To me the religion is very simple. You make a mistake – it’s fine if it’s not something that is intentional or ill-hearted that came out of you, and so because of that everything is forgiven. As long it comes from a good place where your intentions are pure. God accepts it that way.”

Nowadays, Ramadan for Lena is about her immediate family.

“I’m not big on tents and all the excess they represent. Ramadan is really about simplicity and giving. When there’s so much consumption and food it’s the inverse about what Ramadan should be.”

Lena recommends the cultural immersion programmes at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding.

“Everybody interprets the UAE depending on the lifestyle they choose to live. A lot of non-Emiratis or people who haven’t lived here for a long time miss out on it. They see the high life and the malls. When you take them to these places it can be an eye-opening experience that puts everything in perspective.” she said.

Lena hopes that Ramadan inspires people to live a more simple and authentic life.

“If you try to think of the reel of your life, what do you want to be remembered for? Living your life in an authentic way of what is important and fundamental to you is crucial, and Ramadan is the perfect time to practice that.”