Know your UAE
Know Your UAE
Ramadan 2016
R
amadan or the Month of Fasting is the fourth of the
five pillars of Islam. Some of the main features of
Ramadan include fasting, heightened spirituality,
fellowship, family and charity. Ramadan is regarded
as the holiest month in the Islam calendar. It ends on with
the festival of Eid-al Fitr – Day of Celebration and Gratitude.
Ramadan Greetings
Location: Out and about in the
UAE
Ramadan Kareem and Ramadan
Mubarak are congratulatory
greetings used when the first
day of Ramadan is announced.
‘Kareem’ means ‘generous’ and
‘Mubarak’ means ‘blessings.’
Other
greetings
include
‘Mubarak Alaikum Alshaher’
to which the response may be
‘Allah Yebarek Feek’.
Iftar
Location: Private homes and eateries
across the UAE
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location: Abu Dhabi
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the official mosque of the United
Arab Emirates. It is named after the UAE’s founder and first president, the
late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Ramadan Night Programmes are
provided at the Grand Mosque during the holy month. Additionally, the
Grand Mosque is credited with having one of the largest Iftar gatherings in
their car park.
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After The Bell
Iftar is the evening meal after sunset to
break the daily fast during Ramadan.
Traditionally, the meal was to have a few
dates and water. Later in the evening, it
becomes more festive with larger meals
enjoyed amongst family and friends after
Magreb prayers. All mosques offer free
Iftar meals to the less privileged within
the society, whether they are Muslims or
not. Many hotels and restaurants will also
have special Iftar tents where customers
can have a simple or more complex meal
(prices vary).