My Ramadan: Holy month holds extra significance for Dubai resident

Palestinian mother enjoys connecting with her spirituality during Ramadan and remembers with joy when her daughter was born during the month two years ago.

Inas Zamel has spent every Ramadan of her life in the UAE and it is also the time of her daughter’s birthday. Lee Hoagland /The National

DUBAI // Palestinian Inas Zamel says that Ramadan is about connecting with your spiritual being and is a month she will always remember as a time when she gave birth.

“My two-year-old daughter was born during the holy month, and I can safely say it was one of the most amazing experiences,” said the mother of two, who was born and raised in the UAE.

“During Ramadan, everyone’s timings change and everybody stays up either praying, watching TV or eating, so I was always surrounded by family during the late hours of the night, when my daughter would wake up.

“She was almost one month old by the end of Ramadan and the first month of a baby’s life is the most difficult for a mother, but the holy month made it a wonderful transition.”

Ms Zamel, 32, said tending to her daughter in the late hours did not feel like a burden but a joyous occasion, spent connecting with her newborn.

“Even now, her birthday still falls on Ramadan, and it’s a wonderful experience to be surrounded by family and bring cake after we break our fast.”

Ms Zamel says Ramadan is also a time to connect with your spirituality. “Although there are many fun TV shows during the holy month, I limit myself to two so I can connect with my spiritual self, read the Quran and pray,” she said.

“Prayer is part of my daily life but, during Ramadan, I try become more disciplined and pray on time. I want to dedicate myself completely to my faith.”

As for fasting, Ms Zamel said she is fully functional and can complete her day-to-day activities without feeling tired.

“Thankfully, I don’t drink coffee, tea or smoke, so I don’t feel angry or anxious at any point and can easily work and run my errands,” she said.

“I do, however, sometimes feel very thirsty but it’s completely manageable.”

Ms Zamel, who works at the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority’s strategy department, said Ramadan was all about endurance, prayer and family.

“Ramadan is completed with the gathering of the family,” she said. “I hope that God blesses all our families and our parents.”