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How Filipino Muslims Observe Ramadan in the UAE
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – For many Filipino Muslims in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), observing Ramadan in a Muslim country is a deeply fulfilling experience as Islamic traditions and practices are deeply woven into their daily life.
Many Filipino Muslims welcome the month of Ramadan as an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in their faith due to the country’s rich Islamic culture, which provides an environment where they can deepen their spiritual journey and strengthen their connection to Allah.
From the call to prayer echoing across the cities to the special Ramadan activities, the availability of halal (permissible) food, prayer spaces and collective sense of reverence make fasting and worship more meaningful.
Carlo Trinidad, who is known by his Muslim name as Khalid, said that he finds ease and peace during the holy month of Ramadan compared to the ordinary months.
“In the usual months, I can feel that everything moves at a fast pace. We are so occupied with lots of tasks. But when Ramadan comes, it's like everything slows down and becomes more peaceful. With every salah (prayer) I perform, I always make dua to Allah (SWT) to accept my sacrifice, my fasting, and grant me the strength to continue reflecting and worshiping," he said.
Trinidad, who embraced Islam in 2023, told GMA Integrated News that he and his wife, a born-Filipino Muslim from the Tausug tribe in Davao City, wake up at around 3:30 - 4:00 in the morning to prepare suhoor, an Islamic term for the meal eaten before dawn during Ramadan.
At around 5:30am, he said that both he and his wife go to the mosque to offer the Fajr prayer, the first of the five obligatory prayers in Islam.
Trinidad, who works as a document controller in Abu Dhabi, said they fast almost 14 hours daily without food and water but the fulfilment is beyond words.
“So far, we never find it difficult to fast. Even our Iftar (the meal taken after sunset) is simple as long as there are water and dates, we are fine. My journey as a Muslim hasn’t been very difficult, maybe because I wholeheartedly and sincerely embrace Islam that even my family and friends never questioned my decision. I heard nothing but acceptance, they all fully embraced my decision to become a Muslim,” he said.
For Jonnalyn Perez, a Filipino Christian woman who is married to a Pakistani Muslim, said it is her first time to fast after four years of marriage.
Perez who hails from T'boli, South Cotabato, told GMA Integrated News that she finds peace and fulfilment while observing Ramadan even if she is not a Muslim.
“It’s my first time to fast after four years of being married to Tariq. At first, I didn’t want to continue because it was hard especially for the first five days without food and water, but my husband motivated me to go on as it will give benefit me in the long run. Now on my 17th day, I am so happy I did it,” she said.
Perez said she found joy in preparing suhoor and iftar for her husband and even learned to cook traditional Pakistani food such as potato samosa (potato-filled pastry) or chicken samosa (chicken-filled pastry), potato pakora (potato fritters) and ruwabsa (wheat and meat stew).
Despite being married to a Pakistani Muslim, Perez said her husband never forced her to convert to Islam.
“He was never strict nor demanding that I embrace Islam. What he keeps telling me is I can always embrace Islam whenever my heart is ready to accept Allah. He never forced me. In fact, he accepts me the way I am and even embraced some of our Filipino traditions,” she told GMA Integrated News.
Ayesha Ibrahim Sherooqi, 24, an administrative executive in Dubai, in a separate interview told GMA Integrated News that her observance of Ramadan this year brings a distinct experience comparing the way she celebrates it in the Philippines.
Due to economic and cultural differences, Sherooqi said that her Ramadan experience in the Philippines was primarily centered around religion and perseverance, with deep-rooted traditions focusing on prayer and reflection.
“The cost of living and celebrations may vary, but generally, the emphasis is on the blessings that God wills to provide, with communities coming together for shared meals and charitable activities, regardless of their status or religious beliefs," she said.
"Meanwhile, in the UAE, Ramadan is a time of heightened religious observance and family guidance. Many people take part in iftar gatherings and community events, reflecting a stronger focus on showcasing generosity and hospitality to both Muslims and non-Muslims during this sacred time,” she said.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Ramadan is the communal breaking of the fast at iftar, the evening meal after sunset where many mosques across the country open their doors for Muslims to partake on the dinner for free.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, provides iftar to more than 35,000 fasting individuals daily during the whole month of Ramadan as cited by the local newspapers here.
Annie Cortez Mateo, who hails from Sarangani Province, said that breaking fast in Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most fulfilling feeling because it feels like she is in Mecca, the holiest city of Islam.
Mateo said that it is her tradition along with her relatives and Filipino Muslim friends to join iftar in the Grand Mosque after which they will offer the obligatory prayers (Magrib and Isha) and Taraweeh (voluntary evening prayer after Isha).
“We always go to the Grand Mosque every Ramadan because we feel that we are in Mecca. The feeling is indescribable, it gives us a sense of fulfilment, peace and our worship seems complete if we take our Iftar and pray there,” she said.
Nestor Verano Jr., a Filipino Christian who is from Masbate, told GMA News that he participated in Iftar gathering at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque once again this year after having been inspired with his experience last year.
Verano said he is impressed by the unity the Muslim community has shown and their sincerity to welcome non-believers to the gathering.
“I feel the sincerity of how the Muslims manifest their faith. Their generosity, humility and patience are truly impressive. I am moved by their values and beliefs that are shown by their deeds, acts and charity. Having been in Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for iftar is an experience I will always cherish,” Verano said.
Micole Genesis Taruc, 26-years old from Cavite, said she finds joy in celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan in which she finds time to have a deeper reflection about life.
Taruc, an accountant who came to Abu Dhabi in 2022, said that aside from joining Iftar meals, she loves to listen to Islamic lectures by Islamic scholars.
She said she has started fasting this year and has been studying Islam and that she is planning to embrace the religion after being inspired by the Quran verses.
“By listening to the sermons and lectures, I really feel that Allah is always speaking to me. All my problems have solutions and listening to the Quran and Islamic lectures always makes me calm especially during my hard times. Now that I’m dealing with a lot of problems, listening to Islamic lecture especially from Mufti Menk really help me a lot to open up my heart to all possible things that might happen and to appreciate the small to big things and accept what life has thrown on me through submitting to the will of Allah,” she said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
