Ramadan through the eyes of a non-Muslim: I am touched by the spirit of oneness in the UAE

Rukshmani Kumari has been to Dubai many times. But it is the first time this single mom from Rajasthan, India is visiting the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan.
"The sheer humanity and the sense of oneness that Ramadan encompasses is what has touched me deeply," says Kumari who belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Rajasthan.
"I am in Dubai to celebrate my son Prithviraj's 14th birthday and I am glad he got to experience how Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan."
She said the first day when she landed in Dubai on May 15, she drove in front of a mosque in the evening where she saw men of all ages praying. "There were people even standing outside the mosque and offering their Namaz. I could see people of all age groups; there were rich and the poor - all standing shoulder to shoulder. That makes you understand that everyone is equal in front of God," said Kumari.
But like many tourists, Kumari said she was initially taken aback that people were not allowed to eat or drink in public during Ramadan.
"But after staying here for a day and watching people abstaining from food and water even in this harsh weather, I understand the concept behind this Ramadan etiquette. Only when we respect the religious sentiments of others, we can earn the same," said Kumari.
She said she was happy to discover that restaurants were still open and people could buy food at various public places.
"That shows the spirit of tolerance. I appreciate the fact that the government is sensitive to the need of the tourists and non-Muslims. That fine balance between spirituality and acceptance is a great message for the world. That is what I take back with me this Ramadan," said Kumari.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
(Do non-Muslims fast with their colleagues? How do they support their fasting colleagues? Watch this space every Saturday during the holy month as non-Muslims detail their experiences of spending Ramadan in the UAE)

• Ramadan 2021