Dubai: An act of kindness during Ramadan can be done without even leaving your home, by making an extra effort when caring for those you love. Sabuna Mohammad Manaf spoke to Gulf News about a great act of kindness she experienced during Ramadan, which happened between husband and wife.
Manaf said: “After I got married, I had to shift to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Compared to Dubai, Riyadh is a far more conservative place. I had no friends and no family – it was just him and me all alone.”
As a homemaker and a newlywed, she was worried about being more homesick than ever once Ramadan came.
Manaf said: “I was so worried about missing my Ramadan memories in Dubai. I couldn’t think of a Ramadan without the active prayers, streets, the Ramadan cafeteria food displays, lights, iftar get togethers, peace convention programs, the Ramadan and Eid promotions, shopping, the busy parlours that Dubai has to offer.”
She was worried about feeling uncomfortable in her new home after living in Dubai for 22 years. But, she was pleasantly surprised by the actions and efforts of her husband who understood her concerns and homesickness.
Manaf said: “Unlike what I expected for my first Ramadan after marriage, in those 30 days I never missed a single thing that I worried about. More precisely, my loving husband never made me miss them.”
Throughout the 30 days of the month, she wasn’t given a chance to feel down. Her husband helped her to pray more and complete the Quran. Even though he was always a picky eater, he didn’t worry or complain about the food she made.
She never had an opportunity to miss her life with her family in Dubai, as they went to restaurants that served iftar buffets.
Manaf said: “He always worked or took efforts to make me get the same feel as in Dubai. He initiated taking me to Masjid prayers that conducted prayers where women were also accommodated, even though it was really far from our house. Even during Eid and every other day, he never let me down.”
For Manaf it was an act of kindness that she will never forget. When she was in a vulnerable place in a new city with her new husband, he reached out and did everything he could to make her happy.
Manaf said: “Never fail to appreciate if you get receive generosity like this. I thank him with all my heart.”
