Dubai - On the eve of Friendship Day, Dubai residents talk about essence of friendship
Published: Sun 7 Aug 2016, 7:28 PM
Last updated: Mon 8 Aug 2016, 10:10 AM
Friendship can happen anytime, anywhere and with anyone. Yet, people across the world celebrate the first Sunday of August as Friendship Day, enriching the bond of selfless love and trust between individuals, perhaps the only one such relationship.
In this technology driven world where people become friends within seconds, Khaleej Times found a few residents who were lucky to have real friends "who can make you smile even when you are not talking."
Tanya Shakil Daud, an independent journalist and filmmaker, shared her unique friendship, which grew over a cause and getting stronger day by day.
Are pets real buddies in age of socialising?
At a time when people spend most of their time with smart phones or laptop, Ipshita Barua, a Dubai-based media professional seeks true friendship in her two loving pets, Buddy and Hugo.
According to her, we are living in the age of socialisers and not friends; people you are partying with or going out for casual dinners are not true friends. That's why she prefers spending time with her pets at home than hanging out with people.
Cuddling Buddy and Hugo, Ipshita told Khaleej Times how she started an adorable relationship with them.
She said: "I started out as pets with them. I was very scared of dogs but after having them as pets, it's a very different feeling. A bond developed over the time. Dogs have an innate way of understanding what you don't say. If I come home sad, depressed and stressed they react immediately and they do their best to make me happy and smile."
She added that the unusual bond gives her satisfaction and peace than the friends outside.
"They wait for the whole day to just see you back because they have nothing else to do. It's a very different kind of a bond and people say that if you never had a pet, a part of your soul remains closed forever. They don't expect anything in return just your love and care.
"You may call it unusual friendship, sometimes it gets parental because the bond you share with them becomes just like that and they become your kids. They become possessive, they want attention and care all the time."
ankita@khaleejtimes.com
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Tanya became friends with two doctors who were part of an event "DAIRA" held in UAE to raise awareness about the refugee situation at large and contribute in together as a community.
Tanya says she shares a bond of humanity with them - Dr Hadia Aslam, founder of Healthpoint Hospital and Dr Maniza Malook, educational head (Healthpoint) - They are refugee camp doctors and have worked in the camps of France and Greece.
Two other residents talked about how they became friends from the first moment. Futoon Sameer and Lama Chabayta have been best friends for four years.
Futton told Khaleej Times how it began :"Around 4 years ago in my Freshman year at the American University of Sharjah, I was invited to a friends birthday party. I went and there were many people that day at the gathering, and that night is when I met Lama for the first time. Maybe it was a coincidence or maybe it was fate that made us meet, but while I was talking to her I just knew that she was going to be in my life for a long time.
"It is four years after now and we have been through so much together and our friendship has grown much stronger and closer. I can't even just choose one situation where she was there for me, because she stands beside me every single day and always proves to me how much she cares. I do the same for her as well.
"Whenever I face any problem or difficulty in my life, no matter how big or small she always gives me support, advise me and helps me get through everything. She is the first person I would tell to my good news and bad news. People sometimes even mistaken us for being real siblings because we hangout almost everyday. The best memories of my life are shared with her and I feel very blessed to have her."
They even chose to study the same major - Advertising and Media. "So who knows maybe in the future one day we can even work and travel the world together," she said, adding that "I strongly believe that true friendships can last a lifetime. And sometimes friends become family to us, and to me she is family."
Marriage not impediment
Friends for life, that is what Ben couple has to say.
Dina, an American Arab and her Husband Ben, a German found their strength of the relationship in working out together.
"We started like any other couple and used to fight a lot initially but with time with understood they we need to spend quality time with each other and become each-others friends. Today, he guides me and helps me in polishing my skills and I also try to suggest him in his work," said Dina, a stylist and make-up artist.
They love body building and participate in body building competitions together. They are as passionate about their relationship as they are for their work.
Ben, a filmmaker and motivational rapper thinks it is important to give each other time and very importantly a quality one as it helps in understanding the person better.
He said: "I believe marriage is a beautiful friendship and we should try to bring out the best in each other. It is the most special friendship for me and it will just become better and better with time."
World Friendship Day
Though Friendship Day is being marked every first Sunday of August across the world, the UN has set July 30 as the International Friendship Day. However, different countries mark the day on different dates.
ankita@khaleejtimes.com
Tanya Daud at her residence in Dubai.
Ipsita Barua with her dogs Buddy and Hugo, at her house in Al Furjan, Dubai
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