From Fujitsu General around the world - Holy Ramadan in UAE
Hi there!
Today, we received a unique story about the distinctive culture of the Islamic world from a colleague in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)!
They have just concluded a period known locally as "Ramadan", and I would like to share some fascinating cultural insights about Ramadan in the UAE with you💡
Holy Ramadan in Muslim world🕌
The holy Ramadan is the month of memorial for Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam📅
The Ramadan season follows Islamic lunar calendar “Hijri calendar” observed by Muslims worldwide, and it’s the 9th month of it.
The Ramadan usually lasts for 29 - 30 days from the day of the sight of crescent moon to the next sight🌛
In 2024, Ramadan started on 11th March and ended on 10th April.
Isha, an evening prayer, and Taraweeh, an evening prayer especially done during Ramadan, are very important to Muslims.
Muslims typically celebrate the revelation of Quran with longer time of payer to better understand the rituals of Ramadan📖
During the period of Ramadan, Muslims refrain eating and fast. Ramadan is a time to abandon corrupted thoughts, immerse oneself in devotion and service to God by suppressing self-interest.
Thus, restricted activities are not limited to eating or drinking, but smoking or sinful behaviors such as speaking ill of others are also included🚨
Ramadan traditionally begins with the declaration by local authorities, and Muslims practice fasting from sunrise to sunset during the period unless they are acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, pregnant, or menstruating.
Office working hours are shortened from 8 hours as standard to 6 hours so Muslims can focus on immersing self-dedication to God.
Meals during Ramadan🍴
Those who practice Ramadan have meals before sunrise and after sunset and the city falls silence until the meals are served.
Today, firing on the cannon operated by the local authority is a popular tradition to break the daytime fast in UAE, and it is observed in many parts of the country.
Predawn meal in the early morning is called “Sahur” and nightly meal served during the Ramadan is called “Iftar”.
For Iftar people gather together to break their fast and strengthen their relation each other🧆
Iftar meal often includes dates, water, juice, buttermilk, Arabic food, and sometimes Asian foods such as biryani, Haleem, harees, kanji, snacks, soup, bread, desert etc. are served traditionally.
Some people have meals at home with family members, but others also go out for restaurants and enjoy meals with friends.
Charity Activity as another form of immersing self
Charity activity is another highlight in the Ramadan season.
Charity is called “Zakat”, is another pillar of Islam, and its meaning even becomes greater during the Ramadan🎈
During this period, governments and large organizations participate in special endowment to help individuals especially who are disadvantaged.
In UAE, tents are traditionally set up in mosque, palace, Emirati villas in the various locations of UAE where people tend to gather and offer free Iftar meals.
Commemorating the Culmination of Ramadan🎉
The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.
People in the UAE and other Islamic countries around the world celebrate the Ramadan to gain the stronger religious spirits after experiencing the same endurance👐
The sight of crescent moon breaks the fast after a month of dedication finally.
Once the Ramadan pasts, Muslims celebrate "Eid al-Fitr", the festival of breaking the fast which marks the start of the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
People gather with friends to have large meals and exchange warm greetings calling "Eid Mubarak" or "Eid Saeed", conveying blessings and happiness for the occasion🎊
How was it?
Hope you learned a piece of cultural practices in the Middle East region as shared by our colleagues in UAE🌎
In this series of articles, we will keep posting the news utilizing Fujitsu General’s global network. Stay tuned!