Name: Mohammad Al Dhaheri
Occupation: Public law
Age: 35
Nationality: Emirati
Emirate: Al Ain
Ramadan is a time that has an important meaning in my life. It brings us closer to God by extra praying, reading the Quran, fasting and many more ways.
Ramadan brings me back to my childhood, as we repeat these same traditions. Even though I am in my mid-30s, I still get excited about the traditions that ensue. The smell of the special foods that start being prepared from 3pm until iftar, I remember going to the kitchen at 5pm to discover what my mother cooked and prepared for us and the happiness of knowing that we would soon be ending our fasts.
There’s also the happiness of fasting a full day and challenging the other children in the family. The happiness of Taraweeh prayers, which is an extended prayer done in Ramadan only and starts from 8.30 until 9.30pm. The happiness of extra reading of the Quran and challenging the others to finish the book and get closer to God. The happiness of neighbours gathering around the mosque after Taraweeh prayer for chatting and fun. My family gathering together until late in the night, until suhoor. Then we start fasting again, usually around 3.30am this time of year.
Once the first half of Ramadan passes, we would start preparing our things for Eid by buying new clothes and new shoes. In the last 10 days, we start extra prayers and readings, asking God for mercy and there is a very important night, which is Laylat Al Qadr, and it is usually on the 27th day of Ramadan and it is the best night for prayer. After that we wait for the Eid announcement. When that happens we play with fireworks and wear all our new clothes. This is Ramadan, and I am doing all these things now with my own children. I hope I can give them the same wonderful memories I have had in my life. In this time, you feel closer to God and closer to your family and there’s nothing else in the world quite like it.
