It is a joyful time here in the beautiful island of Abu Dhabi. If you would like to see some photos I invite you to visit the website: www.arabianeye.com and learn more about this very magical part of our world. It is still Ramaddan here, which is a holy time of the year when people fast from sunrise to sundown. The fasting allows the purification of the soul. More than the abstinence of food during the day, it is about the abstinence of negativity in thoughts and actions and the deeper understanding of humbleness. Through the experience of hunger, those fasting have a deeper understanding of what it is to have it all “food and health” and what it feels to not have through ” hunger and weakness”. Upon finishing the experience of Rammaddan, people feel different, emotions are cleansed and old quarrels forgiven. It is a beautiful time of the year within the Islamic culture. Every evening at sundown the fast is broken with a meal called “Iftar” and prayers of gratitude abound. Celebrating Iftar with friends and family is common here and quite beautiful to experience. Being that I am not a Muslim, I wondered how it would feel to be in this part of the world during this holy time… I am grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to experience the energy of Rammaddan, and share Iftar with kind and loving friends, although I have not felt the need to fast. Non-Muslims are always allowed to eat and are served food during the day, yet are simply asked to not eat in view of those that are fasting. I find that quite fair! The culmination of Rammaddan happens after 30 days when the moon appears again. We are preparing for the new moon this coming week! Families make big plans and vacation travels for this time of the year. The streets are adorned with beautiful Christmas type lights in the shape of stars and moons (my favorite!) and there is anticipation in the air… the celebration is called the Eid, and it is a big holiday! We are also getting ready to celebrate! I will tell you all about the celebrations in my next blog! Until then, sending you much love and many blessings of joy and happiness from this beautiful part of our world “Ramaddan Kareem!”
With love and light,
Ariel
Blessings Louis,
Thank you for your message, so happy to read that Kim is back! I will be blogging weekly, just returned from Istanbul and it was another beautiful experience. Keep in touch and send my regards please to our yoga class. Until we meet again, be well! Blessings to your family. Namaste, Ariel