Name: C. Sunil Roy
Occupation: Account director in an advertising agency
Nationality: Indian national
Emirate of residence: Dubai
In the UAE: For 20 years
“Ramadan has become an integral part of my life. For the past 20 years, every year, I have been seeing people fasting in the UAE. Earlier, when I lived in Chennai, India, I didn’t know too much about Ramadan, but here, I see a lot of my friends follow the month’s requirements strictly and with determination.
“Observing Ramadan, I know that this is a month in which people renew the bond they have with each other. They also cut down on habits that are detrimental to leading a good life. The atmosphere around the emirates is definitely more spiritual during the month. Both in words and actions, people try to be better. It also makes me rethink my own actions.
“I think Ramadan has an influence on everyone. My friend, who is from Lebanon, starts fasting prior to Ramadan. Another colleague also fasts, even though he is non-Muslim. He says he does it out of respect for others who are fasting as well.
“Summer is a challenging time in the UAE, but people’s faith helps them overcome the heat and get through. In peak summer, as we are seeing this year, it gets even more difficult. But their determination doesn’t lessen. I know someone who has been unwell, but they are still fasting, because they said their doctor has given them the go-ahead. They don’t have to, but they want to.
“Personally, I don’t face any difficulty in Ramadan. It is a way of life, and has become a part of my own. It is a time for a lot of introspection, where we can think about how to become a better human being. In modern times, where everyone is living such a fast-paced life, most people don’t take the time to stop and analyse what they are doing. I think Ramadan is a good time to pause and consider.
“People come together in this month, and there is a lot of camaraderie. It’s a great time to think about how to lead life in which, we are better versions of ourselves.”
