Non-Muslim UAE expat tries Ramadan fasting for the first time

"Even though I am not born Muslim, I decided to fast because I want to understand how it feels."

The first week of Ramadan has almost passed, and for millions of fasting Muslims in the UAE, it has certainly been a rewarding time, as it allows families and friends to gather together and experience the true meaning of abstinence and patience.
However, for the many non-Muslim expats living in the UAE, the Holy Month of Ramadan might simply feel like just another ordinary month. But for Jason Loo Jih Sheng, that's not the case. The Malaysian-Chinese 33-year-old personal trainer, who has been resident in the country for nine years, chose to experience a full month of fasting, despite the fact that he is not even Muslim, but half-Christian and half-Buddhist.
Sheng told Khaleej Times that since moving to the UAE, he felt a certain motivation to learn more about the unique culture, history and heritage of the Emirates, as well as educate himself about Islam. Sheng, a personal trainer for the Al Fahim family in Abu Dhabi, highlighted that he has always been drawn to Islam.

"My mother is Christian and my father is a Buddhist, but they gave me the freedom to find my own true self, whether to be a Catholic, a Buddhist or a Muslim." He noted that Ramadan would provide him with a great opportunity to experience what the millions of other Muslims in the UAE do.
"Malaysia is also a Muslim country, so I tried to fast when I was a young boy at school, but I could not do it, because I wasn't motivated enough by the people and the environment around me. But here in the UAE, I feel a strong motivation to fast." Sheng pointed out that although fasting has not been easy for him, the experience has been rewarding. "As a personal trainer, it can be difficult to fast, because I am so used to having a programmed diet, a regular schedule, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
"But it is all about the rewarding feeling I experience after a long day of fasting. That first sip of water that I drink at Iftar time - it means the world to me," he said. Sheng noted that the Emirati family he works for as a personal trainer have also motivated and encouraged him to learn about Islam.
"The compound that the family live in has a mosque, and there are Islamic teachers who have always answered questions that I was curious about - they expanded my view a lot."

Sheng also enjoys the Iftar hour, not only because he can finally devour the Emirati dish harees that he really loves, but simply because the act of having Iftar with other people allows him and those he cares about to come together, despite cultural or religious differences. "I love sitting with my employers at the majlis and ending my fast with them. We come together to appreciate this meal that we receive. The last ten minutes before Iftar time are special, because we are all in the majlis, helping each other prepare the table to share the food later."
He also noted that Ramadan is not just about fasting, but also about providing a helpful hand to those in need. Simple gestures such as showing respect and kindness, contributing to charities, praying together, as well as sharing food with the community are what Ramadan is all about.
"Even though I am not born Muslim, I decided to fast because I want to understand how it feels. After all, you never know what people are going through unless you share their experience."

A continental shiftJason Loo Jih Sheng hails from Malaysia, the Southeast Asian country where Islam is the state religion. Approximately 61.3 per cent of the population practice Islam, and Ramadan is a lively affair in the country, with vibrant local markets and bazaars popping up on the streets. The number of Malaysians living in the UAE are far fewer compared to the other Southeast Asian populations that reside here, and for people like Jason, Ramadan here in the emirates is quite a different experience from the one in his home country. Like Jason, there are also many followers of other religions who move to the UAE, and are curious to try out the Ramadan fast for themselves.

jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

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