Festival of lights unites Indian communities in UAE

Khaleej Times caught up with families in Dubai to learn what the festival of lights means to them.

From decorating homes with strings of twinkling lights to hand-painting earthen pots, piling on sweet boxes, and bursting crackers, families come together on Diwali to relive old traditions and create new ones. Dhanusha Gokulan caught up with three families in Dubai to learn about what the festival of lights means to them.

For 25 years, this family has been celebrating in Dubai

Dubai-based businessman Rajendra Jhawar and his family have been celebrating Diwali in Dubai for the last 25 years ­- and they wouldn't have it any other way.

Rajendra Jhawar with Mamta, son Mukund, daughter- in-law Gauri and their children at their residence. - Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

Rajendra, the managing director of Vision Recycling and Reprocessing Industries, moved to the UAE in search of greener pastures 25 years ago. "With the exception of one year, we have celebrated every Diwali in Dubai for the last 25 years," he said.

"I moved here because of the convenience and freedom the country provides to those doing business."

Rajendra's wife Mamta said: "We have two children - my daughter Radhika and my son Mukund. Radhika moved to India after her wedding, while Mukund is with his wife Gauri here. We have two grandchildren, Arjun and Aarav, and we all live together in Dubai Land."

Dubai has been the family's home for so long they couldn't think of any better place to celebrate the festival in, they said.

Rajendra said: "The best thing about being in Dubai is that everything is clean and well kept, and Diwali is all about cleanliness and new beginnings. Except for celebrating with our extended families, we don't miss anything about celebrating in India.

"Our friends have become like family. Also, the rulers have been very kind to us. We enjoy a lot of warmth while celebrating here in Dubai." Asked about their family's own Diwali tradition, Mamta said: "We kick off the celebrations by cleaning our home and business places. After which, the prayer begins, and we give gifts to our friends and families. We also make traditional sweets, and distribute them among friends and family."

Newlyweds plan to spend the day with friends

A British national from India, Paavani Raag, just married Clinto Jagan, a Christian Malayalee from Kerala - and they will be celebrating their first Diwali this year. Paavani was born with arthrogryposis, a condition of multiple joint contractures caused by a muscle disorder.

Both passionate advocates of wheelchair accessibility in public areas in Dubai, Paavani and Clinto married in August this year. And for this Diwali, they are planning to head over to Al Seef to celebrate and watch the special fireworks show on Wednesday.

Clinto Jagan and Paavani Raag.

Paavani said: "This Diwali is important for both of us, especially Clinto, since we want to teach each other both our religious values. We will be doing the first puja on Diwali evening, and we'll spend the rest of the day celebrating with friends."

They will be donning new clothes and lighting crackers as usual, she said, but they will also be doing something new.

"We are planning to watch a movie because that is something that even my family did back home in the UK," Paavani said.

"Unlike other nations, I see that the UAE and the UK are two countries that are more open to celebrations of other festivals. Diwali is a lot like Christmas in the UK, and the UAE is providing expats with a lot of freedom to celebrate as well."

Married for 27 years, they don't differentiate religions

Naeem Siddiqui is a Muslim who religiously fasts during the holy month of Ramadan and marks all Eids, but in his household - where his wife Sabina is a Punjabi Hindu by birth - they celebrate not just Diwali but all the other special days in the calendar.

They have been married for the last 27 years, and they have two children, Naved and Nikhat, who were both born and raised in Dubai.

Siddiqui said: "We used to live opposite each other's buildings in Lokhandwala, Maharashtra. We fell in love and got married.

Naeem Siddiqui with his family members.

"Since then, we have been celebrating all Muslim and Hindu festivals," said Naeem, the managing director of Strings International.

"We celebrate not just Diwali but also Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Dussehra, Christmas, everything. We inculcate the same principles to our children as well. I believe God is everywhere." For Diwali, the Siddiqui family, who have been in the UAE for 19 years, never fails to celebrate with their friends and company staff from different nationalities.

Sabina said: "We have puja in the office, as well as at home. We don't go home to India for Diwali. We celebrate with friends and office staff from different nationalities, including Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. We have lunch or snacks and tea with them after the puja."

The couple said: "Dubai is a wonderful place, and we are very grateful to the government for giving us the facilities to enjoy our festivals."

Each occasion may be celebrated in various ways, but in celebrating each of them, one thing remains constant for the family - love.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE