Children in the UAE fasting during Ramadan have embraced the opportunity to embark on a crucial spiritual journey with family and friends – and told how they have been sustained by compassion and gratitude even as hunger sets in.
Watching their parents, elder siblings, cousins and friends refrain from food and water during daylight hours during the holy month encouraged several young children to fast this year.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, seen as an important step in allowing Muslims to reflect on their faith and increase piety and consideration for others.
While children are not typically expected to fast during Ramadan until they reach puberty, The National spoke to young people who were eager to complete the important rite of their religion.
While some spoke of fasting the entire day, others took to fasting over the weekends, holidays and for half-a-day on school days.
‘Appreciate our blessings’
Ameera Muhammad, 10, was determined to fast all through Ramadan this year after abstaining from food and water for a few hours at a stretch in previous years.
“It has taught me patience, gratitude and to appreciate what we have because there are so many people who are not as fortunate,” said the grade five pupil who studies at Dubai International Academy.
“I was really passionate and determined to fast from sunrise to sunset this year. When I was eight, I started fasting for five hours and when I was nine I pushed myself and did eight hours last year.”
She had to work to get her parents on board as they were not convinced she should fast through a school day.
“They were worried I may feel dizzy but I wanted to prove myself and told them not to worry,” said the Canadian national whose family moved from Toronto to the UAE when she was two years old. “I’m very excited when I get to school but there are some moments when my energy levels are low. I motivate myself by remembering how to truly feel gratitude and appreciate what we have.”
She typically sleeps early by 8pm and wakes up at 4.30am for suhoor when she prays and eats a meal that can include pancakes, yoghurt, fruit and eggs. Then she naps for few hours and wakes up at 7am for prayers and school.
When she returns, she helps pack iftar meals of biryani, dates and water to distribute to gardeners and security guards in her neighbourhood.
Pasta, pulau a fragrant rice dish, dates and water are how she usually breaks her fast, with an ice cream treat provided by her parents.
“I was inspired seeing my parents fast even when they saw us eating,” she said. “I often think of what poor people feel like when they have no food, I think of their hunger and pain. Fasting really teaches us to appreciate food and our blessings in life.”
A way of life
Nine-year-old Zoha Shariq exchanges notes with friends who are also fasting about why it’s a challenge and how it should become a way of life.
“I asked my friends if they think it’s difficult or not. They feel like me – it’s difficult but it’s a part of life. It prepares us for when we grow up,” said the Indian grade three pupil who studies at Delhi Private School Sharjah.
The youngest of three children, she decided it was time to fast as she wanted to be part of the experiences her family shared during Ramadan.
Not drinking water has been tougher than staying away from food.
“I feel spiritual and feel it’s for Islam. During school days, I fast for half a day and the full day during the weekend. “I read books, pray and think of something else and not food or drink.”
When the sun sets at 6.30pm, she looks forward to eating favourite dishes. Home-made treats from chicken patties to cinnamon rolls, cake and custard pops similar to the popular dessert luqaimat or sweet dumplings are prepared by her mother.
“I like the family time and sharing our food because I now feel how other people live without food,” she said.
Refreshed and positive
Maryam Imran, 10, said instead of experiencing exhaustion, she feels refreshed and recharged.
“I feel refreshed, clean and positive,” said the grade five pupil from Pakistan who studies at the English Language Private School Dubai. “I do sometimes feel tired but I remember that fasting in Islam is about learning about our faith. It’s about reading the Quran and staying close to Allah in thoughts and deed and not only about giving food and water.”
Her mother whips up her favourite snacks of potato pakora or chickpea-coated fried potatoes and fruit chaat for iftar. Her father makes her a red drink stirring in a fragrant Rooh Afza syrup when she breaks her fast usually a full day on Friday and the weekend and for half a school day.
Other children too told of forbearance they gained when forsaking food this month.
“I heard from my friends that it was hard because there is so much food that surrounds us,” said Mahad Anis, 9, an Indian pupil of Cambridge International School Dubai.
He fasts three to four days a week and is a friendly guide to friends who plan to fast next year.
“Fasting helps me get patience and get closer to Allah,” he said. “Sometimes it’s hard to have fun and my stomach hurts but that is when I try to be patient and forget about food. When my friends ask what my experience has been, I tell them we must calm down and have patience.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Book%20Details
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
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BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
