Hundreds of UAE residents are fasting for the first time this Ramadan, having converted to Islam earlier in the year.
At least 852 people became Muslims between January and April 2020, up from 838 during the same period last year.
While this year's holy month has been different for Muslims worldwide, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some new converts spoke to The National about their first experience with Ramadan.
‘UAE helped me learn about Islam’
Living in the Middle East, becoming a Muslim and fasting from sunrise to sunset was a scenario Sean Bessit never imagined a decade ago.
He grew up in a Christian household in Scotland, fought in the British army at the age of 16 and met Muslims for the first time in Germany in the late 1980s.
Mr Bessit, who is now 51 and lives in Ajman, converted to Islam this March and is observing his first Ramadan as a new Muslim.
He started learning about the religion a few years ago when he made his first few visits to the UAE.
“The company I was working for in Berlin sent me to the UAE in 2016. I never had much to do with Muslims and I only had the military pictures in my mind, such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that had been going on,” said Mr Bessit, who runs an IT company.
“Then when I moved here and started to live here, I realised most of my friends were Muslims and we got on very well. They taught me more about Islam and changed my opinion. When I looked into it with more detail, I realised it was exactly what I was looking for.”
Fasting for Ramadan has also been a new experience for Mr Bessit, who told The National that the journey has been "different" than what he expected.
He said the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have added to the challenge as his friends are not as available to help him with prayers that are recited in Arabic.
“It quickly became clear to me that Ramadan is not simply fasting,” said Mr Bessit.
“I set a target to pray as often as possible, read and understand as much of the Quran as I could. Doing this during the ‘stay home’ order presented an even bigger challenge.
“My biggest challenge was learning the prayers in Arabic and reciting them, as I’m still having problems. YouTube helped with pronunciations but was very contradictory.”
For suhoor and iftar, Mr Bessit has been cooking at home by himself. Occasionally, he orders a pizza and sometimes cooks one of his favourite meals – Uzbek pilov, a dish of rice with vegetables and beef.
Russian expat prepared for Ramadan ahead of time
Ivan Knightsbridge, 40, moved to Dubai from Russia one year ago but his frequent visits to the Emirate helped him learn about Islam.
He converted on March 20 and started preparing for Ramadan a month prior by altering his sleeping, eating and exercising habits so he would be able to adapt well to fasting from sunrise to sunset.
“My first challenge is that I do my physical exercises in the evening before Maghrib, the evening prayer, when all day I’d been fasting,” said Mr Knightsbridge, who works as a real estate agent.
“The second challenge is not drinking water all day. But if I don’t focus on food or drinks and concentrate on my clients and reading the Quran, the time goes by quickly and helps me focus on my belief.”
He said Ramadan has helped him “improve” some of his habits, such as ensuring he is being polite, thinking “pure thoughts” and observing his actions.
Mr Knightsbridge had been visiting the UAE on and off since 2012 and observed how Muslims practised their faith.
“I learned about the religion through friends and by speaking to other people,” he said.
Indian expat who practises Islam after marriage
It is a special Ramadan for Fathima Zuhara as it is her first as a new Muslim and one that she can observe openly.
Ms Zuhara, whose Hindu name was Anushka, told The National she was discreet about fasting back home in India as her mother was not aware of her religious inclinations.
After marrying her Muslim-born husband – a marriage that her parents did not approve of – Ms Zuhara moved to Dubai three months ago. She has officially converted and now observes the month of Ramadan with full fervour.
“Back then it was not a proper fast because I couldn’t eat suhoor or iftar on time, or pray on time,” said Ms Zuhara, who is a teacher at a Dubai school.
She said her parents have now accepted her inter-faith marriage and are rebuilding their relationship.
For iftar, the couple has been cooking at home.
“We have dates, rice and curry and we have snack items. In a week we have non vegetarian food for three days and vegetarian for the remaining,” she said.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
Sukuk
An Islamic bond structured in a way to generate returns without violating Sharia strictures on prohibition of interest.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Read more about the coronavirus
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
SPEC%20SHEET
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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HWJN
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Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE SPECS
BMW X7 xDrive 50i
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Power: 462hp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh600,000
The biog
Born: near Sialkot, Pakistan, 1981
Profession: Driver
Family: wife, son (11), daughter (8)
Favourite drink: chai karak
Favourite place in Dubai: The neighbourhood of Khawaneej. “When I see the old houses over there, near the date palms, I can be reminded of my old times. If I don’t go down I cannot recall my old times.”
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
FA Cup fifth round draw
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal
WHAT ARE NFTs?
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They allow the tokenisation of things such as art, collectibles and even real estate.
An NFT can have only one official owner at one time. And since they're minted and secured on the Ethereum blockchain, no one can modify the record of ownership, not even copy-paste it into a new one.
This means NFTs are not interchangeable and cannot be exchanged with other items. In contrast, fungible items, such as fiat currencies, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
