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'Ramadan is my training period'

Dubai - "Thanks to the motivation of my parents and relatives I always took it very seriously, training my mind and body to obey the commands of Allah."

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Ramadan is the month of purification. I feel more than any other preparation, most importantly it is the mind that we need to train to control. So it's like a training month for me. Usually the practice for most Muslims is, refrain from all non-Islamic activities like watching television, overeating, backbiting etc during these 30 days only. As soon as Ramadan gets over, we go back to our same old way of life and indulge in all sorts of non-Islamic activities. So we need to prepare ourselves during this holy month to be as good (as we are in Ramadan) throughout our lives.
I started fasting seriously since I was 10 years old. And thanks to the motivation of my parents and relatives I always took it very seriously, training my mind and body to obey the commands of Allah.
On the 27th night of Ramadan last year, I went to a mosque nearby for the Qayam ul Layl (special prayers after midnight in the last 10 days of Ramadan) for the first time.

Name: Shereen Sadique Nationality: Indian Age: 20 Occupation: Middlesex University Student

During the prayer, I could hear the Imam's (who leads the congregation during prayers) voice cracking while he was making dua (praying) for the entire humanity. Emotions ran high as the Imam continued to beg Allah to forgive us all for the sins we have committed. I could feel the sheer intensity and sincerity with which the Imam was making the dua (prayer).
Although I do not understand Arabic, I broke down into tears as the voice of the Imam cracked further and I could hear him crying and pleading to Allah for His mercy. I could hear women sobbing from all around me. I felt the power of dua. That was the moment I felt I could understand the powerful message Allah has sent down to us through the Holy Quran. I could see different faces of people from different nationalities and languages, feeling that message of Allah. That feeling of contentment when you feel like you're being heard by your Creator cannot be described in words. That was one of the most beautiful Ramadan experiences I've ever had.
A typical Ramadan day for me begins at around 3.30am when I wake up for my favourite prayer called Tahajjud prayer. After which, I proceed to wake the rest of my family up for Suhoor. Once the meal is done, we wait for the call to prayer (Azan) and offer our prayers.
After some recitation of the Holy Quran, I go back to sleep and since I'm currently unemployed, I can get away with waking up at 11! I usually try to study somewhat before 3pm, which is when my mother begins preparation of Iftar and I am happy to assist her in the same.
Staying busy helps us not feel the pangs of hunger while fasting. After Iftar, there is the clean-up process after which it becomes close to Isha prayer. My entire family goes to the mosque where we offer both Isha and the Taraweeh prayer which goes on till a little after 10pm. After we're back home, post-Taraweeh snack runs begin and in general, we spend some good family time together. Finally, we go to bed at around midnight and in another few hours my day begins again!
When it comes to Ramadan timings here in the UAE, I feel they are perfect as concentration levels and performance does tend to slur later on towards the day, especially considering that Iftar is past 7pm.
To me, fasting is a cleansing process of the mind, body and soul. It makes me realize how truly strong I am, and how I can make do without all the unnecessary frills of life, when you partake in this holy month. It is my favourite time of year and I try to make the best use of this 30 day blessing period given to us. And fasting here in the UAE is most convenient. So much so, that we tend to postpone our yearly vacations just so that we can spend our Ramadan here. There is just something about the entire aura here that makes one so comfortable. It's more relaxed in general, even non-Muslims cooperate with our ideals and traditions; there are so many Islamic classes that are inclusive of different languages and knowledge flows freely. The government has truly facilitated a much more easier and enjoyable Ramadan for us and should verily get the credit.
(As told to Saman Haziq)