A city that slows down together
Ramadan in Dubai is, for me, one of the most beautiful times of the year, not only for Muslims, but truly for everyone who calls this city home. Dubai, a place known for its speed, ambition, and constant movement, suddenly softens. Working hours are shortened, schools finish early, government offices close sooner, and even the busiest corners of the city feel quieter during the day.
And then, at sunset, everything changes.
Food courts that were quiet during the day come alive with the vibrant energy of Iftar. People of all faiths pause as the call to prayer echoes through the city. Families, friends, colleagues, and neighbours gather at the same tables, waiting to break fast together.
This togetherness has always inspired me, the way every religion, nationality, and background meets over one shared moment of gratitude. Ramadan is not only for Muslims; it is for community. It is for compassion. It is for slowing down enough to appreciate what truly matters.
Faith, family, and the practice of kindness
Fasting is not only about abstaining from food and drink. It is a month of discipline, reflection, and trying to be better than we were yesterday. We try to avoid gossip, anger, irritation, bad habits, and anything that veers us away from kindness. And as much as I try, I will admit these are the hardest parts for me. But Ramadan teaches us to acknowledge our flaws gently and work to improve them.
This spiritual journey feels even more meaningful within my own home. I live with my husband, our two sons, my mother‑in‑law, and my sister‑in‑law, a family full of different cultures, personalities, routines, and ways of connecting. During Ramadan, our home transforms. We wake up for Suhoor (morning pre-dawn meal) together, pray together, cook together and gather every evening for Iftar without devices, distractions, or rushing.
The rooms fill with the sound of prayer, family chatter, laughter, and the occasional chaos that comes naturally with children. These moments feel sacred, little reminders of God’s blessings in daily life which we do not always find time the rest of the year.
What Dubai teaches us during Ramadan
When I first arrived in the UAE 15 years ago, I knew very little about Islam or Ramadan beyond what media portrayed, and that is never the best source to learn from. My first Ramadan here stunned me in the most magical way. People of all faiths respected the fasting hours, dressed modestly, and honoured the working patterns set for the holy month. Cafés were curtained during the day, and everything opened only when the call for prayer signalled it was time to break the fast.
I was not Muslim then, but witnessing that unity and mutual respect is what first touched my heart. Ramadan felt peaceful, joyful, and deeply spiritual for everyone. A lot has changed since then. Life in the city now continues more normally during the day, but the essence remains. People still gather. People still respect one another. People still pause for reflection. And above all, people still come together.
Every office hosts Iftars that bring entire teams together. Friends and colleagues join us in our homes, curious and open to learning about our traditions. Dubai embraces every festival, Christmas trees glowing across the city, Diwali lights shining for days, and Ramadan lanterns filling the night with warmth. This diversity is not just tolerated here; it is celebrated.
Ramadan here is a reflection of what makes Dubai feel so peaceful. Ramadan also reminds me that: we are all human and we all need each other.
As Ramadan approaches, I look forward to slowing down, reconnecting with the people I love, deepening my prayers, reflecting on myself, and appreciating the privilege of living in a place where faith and community, of every kind, are welcomed with open arms.
