The Spirit of Ramadan - 8 things that made Dubai Ramadan better than other cities

1) Holy month of Ramadhan

I call it inbuilt coincidence that about 2 billion people are fiercely convinced that July is actually a ninth month. From waking up in the wee hours of the morning  for a quick bite to the waiting for seconds to tick by until the call to prayer at sunset, Muslims do not eat nor drink during daylight hours as an obligatory act of worship. Fasting which is one of the five pillars of Islam is customarily associated with reading Quran 5 times a day, patience, generosity and closeness to God. Where these virtues related to fasting are not evidence in an individual, then they might as well be just starving themselves, and you cannot tell fasting from starving, they are terrible look-alikes.

2) Dua'a for breaking the fast

In Dubai we love fireworks no matter the season! Unapologetically fireworks declare thats its officially time to eat. I repent for mis-perceiving that we have to be all present at the Mosque having washed our face, hands and feet, the Imam must first say "Allahu Akbar" before we can think of touching food, Lo! the tyranny of fireworks leaves no chance!

3) Dates First

Dates is possibly an instruction from Prophet Mohamed that it must be the opener/starter, or what else is the explanation that since 800AD and beyond dates has been a universal mandatory diet during Ramadhan? Surprisingly dates business is the most ethical of our time, the demand does not influence the price!

4) The Lantern 

Therefore holy believers who share fasting call, let not the sight of any form of energy dim the glow of your soul. The spirit of Ramadhan should illuminate from within you unto the world. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, YES! and the Muslim bodies are certainly obsessed with taking census and publishing their official tally every other month, YES! How delightful and freeing is it to think right, noble, pure and admirable thoughts whether naturally and unnaturally symbolic of your faith and belief, atleast during this holy month.

5) Prayer Times

From overabundant experiential evidence that prayer does indeed work well and specially target those that aren't actually praying, the reverse of this goes without saying. I will not venture to speak anything except for the half an hour that some need to wait to cross at the Zebra crossing!

6)Who should fast

Apparently you can abscond fasting and not die! Let alone my friend who is way past menopause but suddenly has a month long flow. This mean Satan is trying to poke his nose on everything despite Allah desperately working on aborting his plans purpose and pleasure,

7) Burgundy everything

Some colours represent or provide ideas, visions missions, programs and sometimes rewards. How could anybody think of a different theme colour? How could anybody do otherwise? Their superior partners exclusively and tightly hold the reins of ideas and governance, therefore Dubai too, as a partner cannot live out religious unity in diversity. Understanding the colour concept has not been as important and interesting as taking photos in those burgundy houses

8) Iftar Parties

'Starve your ego and feed your soul' it would never be complete without a slogan!
In effect to a long day without food, Dubai modeled its own break-fasting stereotype through families, colleagues, friends all over the city.