'Ramadan teaches me to love for the love of Allah'

This was my first Ramadan away from my home country Pakistan as I came to the UAE just a month back. But the experience of this holy month in the UAE is something I never experienced before. The fervour and excitement I see here is amazing and has helped me get over the slight homesickness I was experiencing. What is special about Ramadan in this part of the world is the focus on faith, spiritual progress and charity. Peace and tranquility prevails during the day, with stores being emptier than usual and restaurants remaining closed. This itself is a sign of respect that everyone - Muslims, non-Muslims, residents, visitors - gives this month. This is what lends a 'special' status or rather 'feel' to this holy month.
All show the respect people (Muslims and Non-Muslims) give to this month. The community in general helps to make this month special.
The first thing I did here was to locate a mosque near my place where I could go for my Taraweeh prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. I was overwhelmed as I was spoilt for choice as at every nook and corner of Dubai is dotted with beautiful mosques. Anyway, I settled down for a mosque near my place and was impressed to see the excellent arrangement they make their for the ladies section.
For me, the holy month of Ramadan is a month of resolutions, a month of promise I make to Allah - a promise to improve myself as a person. This is a month of patience and my preparation for Ramadan begins with practising to make this very quality a habit. Even before the month starts, I gear up by mentally training myself that 'Ok now Ramadan is approaching, so I need to control any kind of ill feelings or anger I have for the love of Allah'. And this time, I also attended a Ramadan workshop where I not only ended up making lot of lovely friends but also learnt how to make the most of this holy month full of blessings.
I planned a lot of stuff this Ramadan. A few things from my Ramadan resolution list are: establishing a close relationship with Allah and the Holy Quran, making a habit of going to bed early; not waste my time watching TV; being generous and forgiving to my family and friends, and whosoever I interact with. For me, Ramadan is a chance to repent, and submit to God. It is another chance to do good, read more of the Quran, and continue to refrain from what is forbidden. Ramadan time is like sale time. It is like getting a 100 per cent discount as Allah showers rewards and blessings even for the smallest of good deed you do throughout this month. So it's like the offer is limited so hurry and do as much good as you can!
Although the first few days of Ramadan require little adjustments, in terms of getting used to the fasts and sleeping in instalments, I've actually felt that Ramadan makes me more punctual and dependable. It teaches me how to balance work and remembrance of Allah.
If I have to talk about one memorable Ramadan experience then it would be the Ramadan I spent in the holy city of Makkah. I truly miss those days. What better place to spend Ramadan than in the most sacred site of all the Muslims in the world - the Kaaba. It is one of those beautiful feelings which I cannot describe in words. You have to live it in order to see and feel it. I can never forget the sight of the beautiful sacred house, the Kaaba and the enormous number of Muslims from different countries circumambulating it. It was breathtaking.
And I sincerely hope that this Ramadan, my first in Dubai, will also be a memorable one.
(As told to Saman Haziq)