Many expatriates prefer celebrating Ramadan in KSA

RAMADAN has never been as blessed as it is in Saudi Arabia than in any other country in the world. All people spending the holy month in the homeland of Islam is fortunate, be it in terms of experience or piousness. For those who are new to the Kingdom, there is a lot to look forward to for a whole new experience.
“The streets in the nights of Ramadan are packed and everything that is dull during the day comes to life in the night,” says Maleeha Banu, Indian mother of two who is spending her third Ramadan in Jeddah.
“Shops are open till 3 a.m. and then there’s the crowd bustling in the streets keeping the night alive and those that are shopping to prepare themselves for the Eid Al-Fitr festival,” she said.
“Ramadan in the Kingdom is way better than it is in Pakistan or any other country,” says Mohammed Mazahar, a Pakistani expatriate.
“I always prefer spending Ramadan here because everything is so smooth and there is so much dedication to the Almighty Allah during Ramadan. People actually know the true value of the holy month and they act accordingly here.”
Mazahar says that the best part about Ramadan in Jeddah is that every iftar meal is so grand and special.
“Even if it is at home, that is one time when everyone in the house helps to set the table and sit together at the dining table to share a meal and there is so much joy in that. Unlike other normal days, this holy month brings us all together.”
Apart from the fact that many expatriate Muslims living in the Kingdom find that spending Ramadan here than in their home country helps them get into the spirit to get closer to God, the night life in the city during the holy month is their other ecstasy.
“I also prefer spending Ramadan in the Kingdom because there is more devotion to Allah, meaning the culture makes it an obligation to perform prayers and they encourage you to do the best to seek the blessings of Allah,” says Mazahar. “I never miss a prayer and make sure to attend every Taraweeh prayer at the masjid while in Pakistan, I tend to miss my prayers because the spirit is not there and the situation now back in my country is not peaceful.”
Rawan Shami, a Syrian expatriate in the kingdom, says that this will be her first Ramadan in Jeddah after getting back from Syria.
“I’m expecting Ramadan in Saudi Arabia to be different, at least in terms of managing everyday expenses.”
“The prices of all products have increased rapidly in Syria and it makes it very hard to mange everyday life. Ramadan is a month when people eat and spend on food, but with the situation in Syria, even food prices have increased. There was a time when prices were fair enough till the Syrian crisis began and everything went wrong. For example, the price of a gas cylinder used to be SR 40 back in the days in Syria but now has gone up to SR 250,” says Shami.