The Holy Month of Ramadan is a special month for Muslims all around the world. But even if you’re not a Muslim, you can still savour a spiritual month of giving, peace and introspection. Here are 10 meaningful things everyone, regardless of religion, can do to enjoy the blessings of the season and nurture positive lifestyle habits.
1. Have Iftar!
If you are lucky enough to be invited to a traditional Iftar, accept the invitation and enjoy the wonderful meal that is shared with family and friends. If you are invited into someone’s home, try taking a gift of dates or Arabic sweets as a thank you. If you are invited to a restaurant Iftar a similar gift is appropriate for the host. Another great idea is to invite a group of friends to one of the Iftar buffets offered at the restaurants in the city. Order for some Arabic dishes that you have not tried before, and educate yourself on the traditions of the different cultures living in the Gulf.
2. Learn Something New!
If you have ever wanted to learn a new skill now is the time to do it. Whether you want to perfect your meditation or learn a new language. You could also take a cooking class – imagine cooking up an Iftar dinner for your friends! Now is also be a good time to explore the art galleries and museums in the city; there is bound to be a greater focus on Emirati and Muslim culture and history this month. It’s a great grounding exercise for kids as well, so be sure to take the kids along so they learn more about where they live.
3. Do Charity Work!
Possibly the most powerful thing about Ramadan is the focus on sharing with those less fortunate than yourself. In Islam it is customary to give ‘zakat’ (an annual alms amount of 2.5 percent of wealth accumulated over the year) but there is also opportunity to give ‘sadaka’ (an unspecified donation to whoever you feel needs help). But you don’t have to give money; look at ways that you can become involved in local charities through donating time or unwanted goods. There are always lots of great charity initiatives during this time. What a great thing to get kids involved in, so they start developing a social consciousness early in life!
4. Host A Dinner!
Family and friends are important and sometimes we lose sight of the beautiful relationships that we have neglected all year. Why not take the chance to hold a gathering at your place one evening and invite your nearest and dearest. Be the host this Ramadan and enter into the spirit of giving by sharing your home with others.
5. Adopt a Sensible Diet!
If you’re fasting you have to be aware to eat sensibly at Iftar; eating gradually so you don’t overwhelm your body’s capacity to absorb food after a long fast. There is a lot of focus on the breaking of the fast during Ramadan because it is so easy to succumb to bingeing. So take this opportunity to review your eating habits, and break the bad ones by eating healthy. Make it a healthy eating month to hopefully kick start a long term lifestyle change.
6. Get Fit!
You will see lots of people taking a walk just before or after Iftar – so join in! Use this month to get fit and active. Cycling is becoming very more popular in the UAE, so get a bike and get pedalling after Iftar when it’s a tad cooler. If you can’t find indoor tracks and can’t handle the heat (who can?) hit the gym for stationary biking and treadmill walking. What a great thing to promise yourself in Ramadan, and to carry through beyond!
7. Enjoy a Good Read!
Life can be very hectic in UAE so take the time during Ramadan to expand your mind. None of that mobile phone digital stuff, but an honest to goodness book you can hold in your hands. When was the last time you sat down and relaxed with a good book? Or committed time to reading the Quran? Look for something inspirational and uplifting to really get you thinking about life.
8. Travel and Explore!
Lots of local hotels have exceptional rates during Ramadan so why not take this opportunity to explore more of the city, the country and the region. Even during Ramadan you can take in some great sights of places undiscovered and roads less travelled. There are also many date festivals and Ramadan celebrations around the region.
9. Give Up Your Vices!
This is the perfect opportunity for you to give up smoking or alcohol – it’s a non brainer: you know that it makes total sense for your health! There is no smoking in public during the day in Ramadan so that’s a great incentive to quit; you will face less temptation than normal and that should help boost your will power. Make a plan now on how you are going to do this, and set a specific stop date.
10. Fast for A Day!
If you’re not a Muslim, why you not try fasting for one day, so you know what it feels like? This is a great way to learn more about the process of fasting, and to become more engaged in what your Muslim neighbours, friends or work colleagues do during Ramadan. It is also a great way to develop empathy, tolerance and understanding, of others.
10 Tips for Ramadan by: Ajmal.P.M
