My first Ramadan: 'This is a country of giving'

Sharjah - He feels homesick because it is his first time fasting without his parents around

 
Abrar Javed, a young man from Sialkot, Pakistan, who landed in the UAE six months ago, experienced the Ramadan fast for the first time here. 
He explained the peaceful feelling and spirit of the holy month of Ramadan. "I'm based in Sharjah where I can see a lot Ramdan tents providing free Iftar to the poor and needy every evening. It really amazed me and gave me a feeling of hope in life," Javed said.
He praised Pakistan's natural beauty and tourist sites for visitors, and said he loved his country and wanted to stay there. But life had other plans. "I came to the UAE because of some financial reasons. This is a country of giving and opportunities for everyone; it is blessed because its people and government care for everyone, even those who don't live here. I fell in love with it since the time I arrived, because it's a neat, clean and peaceful place. Actually, I want to become a successful man, so that's why I came here and started my work as a teacher. I feel very happy because I'm now living in a developed country." 
"This my first Ramadan in the UAE and of course it's different from Pakistan," he added.
Despite the fact that he's enjoying Ramadan here, he feels home sick because it is his first time fasting without his parents around. But there are plenty of things he loves about his first Ramadan in the UAE. "I love how quiet the roads are during the day and the slower pace of life for a few weeks. Plus, I notice that shops, malls, restaurants, markets, officers and everything else change their timings during Ramadan. It's similar in Pakistan, but in a different way. There, too, there are those who help the poor, give zakat, distribute dates, food and juices, like in the UAE," Javed said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

• Ramadan 2021
• Ramadan Delight
• Sharjah