'I spent Ramadan in Abu Dhabi and it stole my heart'
10.04.2024 - 15:55
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Despite being the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi plays the role of little brother to Dubai. In the last few years, Dubai has played a meticulous game of positioning itself as the Hollywood of the Middle East.
Their aggressive marketing campaign reached its peak during the pandemic when droves of influencers jetted off to the city to enjoy the sun, sea and super yachts of the city.
But it seems like Abu Dhabi wants a tourist boom of their own too. And, as a practising Muslim, I was invited to Abu Dhabi for three days during Ramadan to see what it is like.
The talk around town is Dubai is the more ‘wholesome’ of the twin cities in the United Arab Emirates. What that really means is it’s quieter, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Once you step out of the airport compounds, the call to prayer blasts from unseen speakers. It reminds that you’re in a completely different world and how important the Islamic faith is to the city.
It took me at least 24 hours until I saw a single speck of litter on the wide, clean, smooth stone roads and pavements. The sun was scorching, the air was clear with blue skies and a gentle breeze would provide a much needed reprieve from the heat that peaked at around 30C on most days I was there.
The atmosphere was genteel, the very few cars on the roads cruised to-and-fro with little to no traffic during the day. Those on foot sauntered to their destination with the odd jogger here and there.
The architecture of the place is genuinely awe inspiring. From nurseries that looked like Moroccan villas to tall skyscrapers that made you feel like an ant in the Amazon rainforest.
Each building seemed like a statement of opulence, an architect's dream. There was no idea too big and