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‘A month when I am on an all-time spiritual high’

Name: Shaheeka Sharif
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Age: 21 years
Profession: Event Manager
A period of peace and tranquility, a month of self-restraint, empathy, sympathy, love and togetherness — this is how I’d define this beloved month of Ramadan. What fascinates me about this time is the fact that over 1.6 billion Muslims across the globe fast together and pray in big congregations, bond with each other and break bread together.
What a beautiful feeling it is that scales all barriers of class, caste, colour, language, and strengthens our bond with each other and with God. The best place to experience this is the UAE, which I’d call the melting pot of different cultures, with over 200 nationalities residing together.
I have been fasting from the age of five and have been lucky enough to be born and raised in the UAE, where the holy month of Ramadan is truly understood and experienced the way it should be.
My connection with Allah becomes stronger during this period — I get more regular with my prayers and recite the Holy Quran more often during this month. I especially love Ramadan nights, as there is a different kind of calm that I feel when my family and I step out of the mosque after Taraweeh, the special night prayers. Mainly, I look forward to the last 10 days of Ramadan, when I actually experience a spiritual high that reaffirms my relationship with Allah. No gossiping or wasting time; smiling more often and strengthening bonds with family and friends — that is how I spend my Ramadan. Be it at the work place, socialising at Iftars and Suhoors, a spirit of festivity prevails everywhere, and I absolutely love it!
The only two things that I find a bit tough to handle during this month is the traffic that gets really bad as the Iftar time approaches. And the waking up early part — for Suhoor — as I am not used to waking up this early, but it’s a good habit after all so I don’t mind it much. For me, fasting means experiencing the joy of giving, and being kind to all, especially the less fortunate.
In the UAE, there is no man or woman who will go hungry during this holy month thanks to the massive charity drives. The mosques are packed with the faithful. Shops and restaurants remain open until late at night, and everyone, (Muslims and non-Muslims) seem to be totally loving the whole ‘Ramadan atmosphere. At least once every Ramadan, my friends and I organise a huge get-together where we bring one dish each for Iftar. And since we are a big group of friends, from various nationalities, our Iftar gets more exciting with a variety of dishes from different cuisines. That is one Iftar we all look forward to every Ramadan.
(As told to Saman Haziq)

• Ramadan 2021
• Dubai