Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Fujairah: What do you like to do during Ramadan?
In an online poll of Gulf News readers, 53 per cent said their favourite Ramadan activity was praying at the mosque.
Watching television came second with 14 per cent and shopping came third in favourites list at 13 per cent. Attending social gatherings came last in the preferences with nine per cent. Reading got six per cent of the votes and visiting Ramadan tents five per cent.
Gulf News took to the streets of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah to speak to residents about what they were doing this Ramadan.
Gulbar Shamelova, 32, a business development manager from Kazakhstan, said her favourite activity was praying in the mosque after iftar. "I enjoy the feeling of unity during prayer time in the mosque. I also enjoy watching some television after prayers."
Office administrator Hossam Al Homsi, 35, from Syria, said he enjoys the time spent with family.
"We watch television together, talk, and eat. It's just a great feeling to be close to your family in such a special month. That's what I enjoy most about Ramadan, and the time available with you," he said.
Milad Zouheir Salhaib, 29, from Lebanon, said: "After prayers in the mosque, my friends and I meet in a villa .... None of us likes going to tents ... we prefer staying at home. We talk, watch television, read, and meet new people."
Estate agent Helmi Al Menshawi, 42, from Egypt, said the most important thing to do during Ramadan was to read the Quran and go to the mosque for evening prayers.
"You also want to spend more time with family and friends," he said. "It's also a good time to do some charity work so I help the local charity association by handing out food at tents."
Mohammad Sabri Esmail, 30, a pharmacist from Egypt, also named evening prayers as his favourite Ramadan activity. "Ramadan has an atmosphere of spirituality and the mosque becomes a central place," he said. "I also like to read Islamic literature and ... spend as much time with family as possible."
Pakistani travel agent Haider Zaman, 30, said evening prayers and meeting friends and neighbours at iftar and after evening prayers were his main Ramadan activities. "After work, my friends and I hang out by the corniche."
Moroccan business development manager Mohammad Al Fahdaouy, 31, said he likes to go for iftar with friends or family. "After that we ... chat until about 8pm, then I might go for prayer. Later we go for dinner with friends."
Khan Ahmad, 39, a Pakistani, said he goes to the cinema more often during Ramadan. "It's no fun without popcorn, so it has to be after the fast is finished. Normally we go once a month, but during Ramadan it's once a week," he said.
Reggie Cardoza, 37, a Christian from India, said he plays football in the evenings during Ramadan.
Ganesh Dube, 40, a Hindu from India, said he spends the extra time off work with wife and son.
