A new survey offered some fascinating insights into the way people in the Mena region live during Ramadan. As The National reported on Friday, a third of the respondents of the market research agency YouGov's survey said their lifestyles change completely during the holy month.
As one would expect, the survey showed that home and family become very important at this time of year, with 69 per cent saying they prefer to stay in their country of residence and more than two-thirds saying they spend more time with their families. People like to spend these blessed days at home with their families, to share meals and do other activities. The spirit of Ramadan unites family members and allows them to reconnect and bond.
The survey also showed some significant lifestyle changes, from spirituality and exercising, to shopping and work ethics. Since the rewards of worship become greater in Ramadan, over three-quarters of those fasting said they pray more. One visit to a UAE mosque confirms this; sometimes people have to pray outside due to the lack of space. But people also shop more, surprisingly, with the majority saying they spent more money at this time of year.
Ramadan is a special time for all of us. It is the time when many of us re-evaluate our lives and priorities and a time when we feel most strongly connected to friends, family and home, a fact that the YouGov survey appears to support.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
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New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
