Despite her age, she was determined to take on the challenge after spending years watching in adoration as her older brother abstained from food and drink for the holy month.
While the odd hunger pain crept in over the past few weeks, Ariana said she felt like a "grown-up" and was proud to have gained a new experience.
"I have actually been enjoying it because my friends are doing it too," she told The National.
My brother has been telling me that I can do it and has helped me a lot over these days, especially when I get hungry
“I do get hungry but I drink some water in the day and I do lots of painting and crafts to keep me busy.
“My fast makes me feel like a grown-up and I always look forward to iftar with my family. We eat dates and water to start.”
This weekend, as many Muslims worldwide ready themselves for the start of Eid, Ariana, a pupil at Taaleem’s American Academy in Dubai, is one of many children in the UAE celebrating the end of their first Ramadan fast.
The religious observance by Muslims is the most sacred time in the Islamic calendar. In most households it is spent by renewing spirituality in the form of prayers, fasting, good deeds, reflection, charity and community service.
Although Muslim children do not have to fast until they reach puberty, many try to practise it earlier, often encouraged by older siblings or relatives.
Over the years, Ariana, originally from Germany, said watching her family fast always made her “curious”.
As an “art lover”, she was also fascinated by her mother’s colourful prayer mat and now has her own.
“I ask my brother many questions about his fast, he's 22 now,” she said.
“I don’t know the full reason behind it yet but I am learning from him.
“I do know it is very important for me as a Muslim to fast and it is a good way for me to control myself and challenge myself.
“My brother has been telling me that I can do it and has helped me a lot over these days, especially when I get hungry.”
Despite being in the middle of a health pandemic, the Dubai school pupil said the "social distancing" measures helped her to observe a “near full fast” throughout the month.
Being away from her classmates and not having the temptation of friends eating in front of her was a good way to ease in.
For many young pupils in the UAE, technology has played a huge part in their learning experience since school campuses closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
And for those fasting for the first time, like Amna Almarzooqi, it has been a blessing as she has been able to share her experience with other fasting friends through video calls.
“I ask my classmates a lot of questions about how they are feeling during their fast on video chat,” the eight-year-old Emirati said.
“Like me, they find it difficult when they get hungry but, actually, it makes me feel like a big girl.
“I don’t mind that it is hard, that teaches me a good lesson.
“I have a baby sister so I am excited to help her fast when she is older.”
Amna said she is learning to recite her prayers with her mum and teacher, too.
“I do like to learn it but with so many words I do sometimes forget what to say,” she said.
“Another thing my family has taught me during Ramadan is the importance of charity and how many people in the world don’t have food, like hot dogs and burgers and things.”
As a big sister to a three-year-old sibling, Maryam Al Sharhan Al Nuaimi said she cannot wait to help her younger sister observe her first fast.
“I told my mama this year that I wanted to practise my fast because many of my friends are doing it,” the eight-year-old Emirati said.
“We have been talking about it a lot with our Arabic teacher during our computer lessons.
“I ask my friends how they are feeling and they sometimes say they are thirsty but that is a good challenge for us.
“When my sister is older, I will let her choose when she starts to fast, it may even be just a half day fast, but it is up to her.
“She can ask me all the questions she wants because I have done it now and I am proud.”
Maryam, a Grade 3 pupil at American Academy in Dubai, said she has a schedule at home that she fills in daily.
“Each day I mark if I completed a full or half fast, and my parents give me a reward,” she said.
“At one time I did complete a full fast for 19 days in a row.
“Fasting is important for all Muslims and god will reward us if we do it so when you’re big enough to try it, you should.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20QUALIFIER%2C%20ZIMBABWE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%20%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMonday%2C%20June%2019%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESri%20Lanka%20v%20UAE%2C%20Queen%E2%80%99s%20Sports%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20June%2021%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOman%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFriday%2C%20June%2023%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EScotland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETuesday%2C%20June%2027%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIreland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Superliminal%20
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Pillow%20Castle%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Pillow%20Castle%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20One%20%26amp%3B%20X%2FS%2C%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PC%20and%20Mac%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Read more from Johann Chacko
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
