Ramadan with KT: Why former expats keep returning to UAE, and more

AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgLVkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0 Good afternoon, Ramadan is here. So are the festivities. This year, the UAE is marking the occasion without any Covid-19 restrictions, a first in four years. We welcome you to the inaugural edition of Ramadan with KT, your daily digest for [all updates]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgLVkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) from the Emirates and beyond related to the holy month. Whether it is a new civic announcement, or a scrumptious Iftar recipe, or an inspiring story of a faithful, or the [daily prayer timings]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgMUkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) — we have got you covered. Read on. AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKV0w=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0 First things first. Ramadan 2023 in the Emirates will be different compared with the previous one (and we are not talking only about Covid-19 curbs). [Read this article]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgAXkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) to know why — and also to find out when you will have your Eid break. If you are fasting, you might want to learn why residents on one end of the UAE would begin their fast as much as [19 minutes before]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKVEw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) those on the other end. You should also know that [fasting hours will increase]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgBUEw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) during the course of the month, which is a celebration of spirituality and calls for self-reflection and togetherness. Speaking of togetherness, the UAE's famed majlises, a traditional sitting room where Emiratis welcome guests for Iftar celebrations, are all set to make a [grand comeback]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKVUw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. You will find majlises even in malls, markets as well as in Global Village.   Word of the day The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root Ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness   We also recommend that you read the [stories of two former residents]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKUkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) who keep coming back to the Emirates during the holy month. India's Hashim KU and Sudanese Ahmed Adam, who flaunt a treasure trove of memories, speak of the "unique vibe" of Ramadan in the UAE. Also, don't miss the story of [Filipino expat Dr Jeramie Umali]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKU0w=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0), a Christian woman who fasts during Ramadan and talks of how the practice "increases a sense of closeness and camaraderie with Muslim friends and colleagues". Colourful lights and banners have, meanwhile, [adorned houses]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgAUkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) in the Emirates as part of Ramadan preparations. If you are looking for home-decor ideas, you can [check out this article]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgAU0w=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0). And before we sign off, you could revisit the [first photo of the Ramadan crescent]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAgAVUw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) spotted in the UAE sky on Wednesday morning and watch the [first cannon shots being fired]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKUEw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) to usher in the holy month. You are all caught up for now. See you tomorrow. [Today's video: How to say 'Ramadan Kareem' in Emirati Arabic]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkNV0w=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) [[ratio]  ]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkNV0w=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) [Today's recipe: Harees, a healthy, traditional Arabic dish]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKXkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0) AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKXkw=&sl=cE8nGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0   If you do not wish to receive this e-mail, click here to [unsubscribe]( AABQXAdKB0RNFFlHR0cEWABYCgJPUAhdBCJVDgUNCUoCXVseFkQLEEwUWAlaWAlUEVsLCFNwV1pRUQ8dWg1dGg==&ml=AApUGQZKAAkKX0w=&sl=cE8xGWNlSmt0MkxAQV5LXgpYCgNdUxIMXgdBTQcLCBhR&pp=0)