In an attempt to promote cultural facts and inclusivity, Emirati host Mohammad Rashid Al Zaabi presently welcomed non-Muslim guests to an iftar gathering, offering them an immersive enjoy of Ramadan traditions in the UAE. The occasion highlighted the values of Emirati hospitality, solidarity, and generosity, providing visitors from various backgrounds with an possibility to look at and partake inside the sacred observances of the holy month.
“We, as Emiratis, are recognized for our hospitality. Our doorways are constantly open, whether to Muslims or non-Muslims,” Al Zaabi remarked. “We have been raised with the values of the overdue Sheikh Zayed, and we must welcome anybody into our houses.”
One of the attendees, Kamini from Malaysia, had by no means attended an iftar earlier than. To fully include the revel in, she selected to rapid for the whole day, hoping to gain a deeper expertise of its importance. Upon arrival, she became greeted warmly and at once felt the sturdy feel of hospitality that defines Emirati culture.
“The second I entered, I felt the warm temperature and generosity of the hosts. They explained the whole lot to us, from the significance of dates when breaking the quick to the importance of own family gatherings,” Kamini stated.
A specially charming component of the iftar for Kamini became the traditional ground seating arrangement. While ground seating is common in Malaysia, she located the Emirati fashion one of a kind, fostering a feel of togetherness and harmony. “My largest expectation was understanding why people take a seat at the ground to eat. But as we shared meals and tales, I realized how lots it brings humans nearer. It changed into a lovely revel in,” she pondered.
Suji Lim from South Korea additionally attended the conventional Emirati iftar and located it to be a uniquely enlightening experience. Having visible photos of iftar gatherings on social media, she predicted a communal putting with human beings sitting at the ground, sharing meals, and engaging in cultural exchange. However, the actual enjoy handed her expectancies in several methods.
“The meals handed my expectancies, and so did the hospitality,” Suji shared. She turned into especially touched by the sturdy sense of community, meeting people from one of a kind backgrounds, and tasty in meaningful conversations over a shared meal.
One of the maximum striking cultural insights for her changed into the Emirati emphasis on generosity. “There’s so much food to head round. It’s the concept that nobody ought to pass hungry, and anybody is provided for,” she stated.
Beyond the food, Suji changed into intrigued through the usage of Bakhoor, a traditional Emirati fragrance that lingers on clothing and hair, symbolizing warmth and hospitality. Another memorable element changed into the host’s gesture of rubbing scented oils into guests’ palms, a traditional practice that in addition verified the culture’s emphasis on making site visitors feel welcome.
Ghani from Tajikistan also shared his reflections on the gathering. Initially, he expected the event to be short and simple, however he became pleasantly amazed via how attractive and informative it turned out to be. “Honestly, I notion it’d be a whole lot quicker and we’d just come right here and devour, however it became greater informative,” he stated.
A primary spotlight for him become the meals. “I have never attempted Emirati dishes earlier than. Especially the desserts—they had been the pleasant part,” he shared. He was additionally curious about the sparkling produce served during the meal, adding, “The dates were from his farm, as well as the tomatoes, which was a absolutely cool thing. It made me experience the food experience even greater.”
The collecting turned into more than just a meal; it changed into an possibility to percentage the old and customs of the UAE. Al Zaabi took the time to give an explanation for the significance of Ramadan, emphasizing the non secular and communal elements of the holy month. “I desired to teach them approximately our history, how Ramadan become discovered inside the beyond, and the significance of worship at some stage in this time. We additionally wanted to introduce them to our nearby way of life.”
As part of the revel in, visitors had been introduced to traditional Emirati ingredients, popular Ramadan beverages, and the significance of dates in breaking the fast. Al Zaabi also highlighted key Ramadan etiquettes, which include the practice of sitting together before iftar and the significance of persistence and reflection within the moments main up to the Maghrib prayer.
The iftar occasion become a part of an annual initiative organized by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation, which has been web hosting such cultural activities for over thirteen years. Each yr, the event is held in a one-of-a-kind Emirati home to offer non-Muslims and expatriates in Ras Al Khaimah with an true iftar enjoy and an introduction to Emirati hospitality. The 2025 version of the collection welcomed people from over 18 nationalities, reinforcing the UAE’s dedication to cultural inclusivity and fostering mutual knowledge amongst its various citizens.
Through initiatives like these, the UAE continues to bridge cultural gaps and improve the bonds of friendship between communities, proving that the essence of Ramadan—compassion, unity, and generosity—transcends religious barriers.
+ There are no comments
Add yours