Let the spirit live on

As another Ramadan draws to a close, we should all take the opportunity to pause and think about the ways in which the Holy Month has affected our lives. On a personal level, it has been a time of joyous sacrifice for many – fasting during the day, then reconnecting with family and friends at night. Many people have reflected on and reaffirmed their faith, and recommitted to basic principles such as generosity and charity.

Many have also extended the hand of friendship to strangers – particularly those workers on low-wage jobs who have helped build this nation, yet are far from their own homes – inviting them to share iftar. On a global scale, thousands of individuals and businesses have followed the example of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, and donated to the UAE Water Aid project that has delivered clean drinking water to nearly 6 million people.

Those of us who are safe in the UAE have been reminded this Ramadan of the pain being felt in Gaza, where more than 1,000 Palestinians have died and thousands more made homeless. Many have already given to charities operating in Gaza, and we are confident that the spirit of Ramadan will continue in the form of further financial and practical support to rebuild shattered lives and communities once the Israeli assault ends.