• Home

'The door of my house is open to everyone for Iftar'

Abu Dhabi - Biryani rice, majbouz, harees, samosa and vimto drink are some of the must-have dishes at their Iftar table.

Growing up and being raised in the UAE has taught Ugandan national Sabil Hussein the importance of charity and feeding people. 
Hussein, who has been living in the UAE since 1972, said he opens his fast with his family and more than 20 visitors every day at his home located at Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi.
He has been providing Iftar to Muslim bachelors for the past 15 years, having learned it from many families and good people in the UAE who are passionate about feeding people. 
"Ramadan to me means togetherness, giving and sharing things like food with people," said Hussein.
"I and my family prepare Iftar meals, invite people to our home and end the fast together. We have been doing this for more than 15 years now.
"I am very passionate about giving and feeding people. Islam teaches us that providing food and sharing meals with people is amongst the most loved deeds by Allah. It also creates love and strengthens relationships amongst people," Hussein added.
The 51-year-old father of three sons and two daughters, all aged between 17 and 25, said he has learned a lot in the UAE, especially about the importance of charity and feeding the poor, from the country's great leaders and other good people through their providing food and other necessities to the needy people and other humanitarian work across the world.
"I came to Abu Dhabi when I was only five to stay with my parents here. Throughout my stay in this country, I have witnessed a lot of good things including the people's love for giving, feeding the poor people and helping each other, especially during Ramadan," said Hussein.
"People in the UAE are so generous and love charitable work. I try to emulate such good things and that's why I always feed people throughout Ramadan," he added.
Having Iftar at his home for people of various nationalities only for the love of Allah, makes him feel blessed. 
Hussein said he also teaches his sons and daughters about the importance of feeding people and instils in them the love for charity and helping the needy.
"We prepare the Iftar together as a family and we ensure that everything is ready by 6pm. The door of my house is open for everyone who wishes to have Iftar with us."
Biryani rice, majbouz, harees, samosa and vimto drink are some of the must-have dishes at their Iftar table.
Speaking about the holy month of Ramadan, Hussein said he likes people's good behaviours, patience and intense worshipping throughout the month.
"People's love for doing good deeds increases during Ramadan. It encourages me and my sons to do more for the sake of Allah; for instance praying more voluntary prayers, night prayer (Taraweeh), reading the Holy Quran and helping old people."
He said he likes fasting in the UAE because of the good Islamic atmosphere and the way the holy month of Ramadan is observed here. 
He, however, misses his mother who now stays in Busia, in eastern Uganda, after her husband passed away.
"I used to enjoy Ramadan with them here. But after the death of my father, my mother decided to go back home and stay there with her family and relatives," he said.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com