‘I feel closer to Allah during the holy month’
With an exception of one year, the 24-year-old Indian national Aqsa Riyas has observed and celebrated every Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr in the UAE. For one year, she had travelled to India during the holy month. A former student of Indian High School Dubai, Aqsa is currently an employee of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Her family hails from Mangalore, a port city in Southern India. “I have two sisters, one older and one younger. I am the middle child,” said Aqsa.
She began fasting at the age of 10. However, like most people, she realised the spiritual benefits and significance of fasting when she turned 18.
Aqsa and the rest of her family pray, observe and break their fast together. “That has always been the case at home,” she said.
“When I started fasting at the age of 10, I was basically following instructions from my mother. It was just a routine, and I was staying hungry and having food at the end of the day.” Only when she turned 12, Aqsa realised the spiritual significance in fasting.
Ramadan is sacrifice for the greater good
“And at 18, I had a religious realisation and became a lot more consistent with my prayers. I realised Ramadan is a sacrifice, you give away something very important to truly understand its value,” she said. For Aqsa, abstaining from food and water was a way to understand the value of food, and the hardships of the less fortunate.
The last 10 days of fasting is the most significant for Aqsa. “We go for prayers right after Iftar.
The prayers start at
8.20pm, and ends at
10.20pm usually. However, for the last 10 days, we pray from 8pm to 9.30pm, and then from 12am to
1.30am,” she said.
“The Prophet (PBUH) had prayed for us at this time, and if you pray with all your heart, we believe our prayers will be answered,” she added. Aqsa also admits there is some physical strain during this time, however, the spiritual benefits of going through this rough phase is also ten-fold.
Strictly family-time
And at 18, I had a religious realisation and became a lot more consistent with my prayers. I realised Ramadan is a sacrifice, you give away something very important to truly understand its value.” Aqsa Riyas, Indian national
“For the most time, during Ramadan, we pray together as a family at home or at the Abu Hail Masjid. However, during the 27th night, we go to the masjid and pray,” she added.
Aqsa said: “Every Ramadan has been different. It has definitely gotten different and better over the years. I feel more emotional and connected to God the older I get.”
Speaking about Iftar, Aqsa said: “Iftar is almost always a strictly family-only time. I break my fast with the family, and I don’t prefer going out as much.” She breaks her fast with dates and water and has some freshly fried foods prepared by her mother.
“We keep it simple. We prepare samosa, spring roll and fried chicken for Ifar. The whole idea is you don’t make a lot of food. It is not like you have a big lunch or dinner, and then snacks in the afternoon. Our meal after Iftar is only Suhoor,” she added.
Aqsa’s family follows this tradition in a bid to avoid wasting food at home as well. Even Eid Al Fitr is a strictly family affair. “Every year, my mother makes sheer khorma (milk with vermicelli). That’s a big part of Eid tradition,” she added.