My Ramadan: UAE Muslim convert fasts for the first time

Ninamhel Marquez, 28, says her concerns about fasting during her first Ramadan as a Muslim were not realised. Sarah Dea / The National

ABU DHABI // Ninamhel Marquez was surprised but relieved that fasting during her first Ramadan was not as tough as she feared it would be.

The 28-year-old Filipina was raised as a Christian and converted to Islam, her husband’s religion, in November last year.

For her first Ramadan as a Muslim she was worried about how she could cope with fasting, but, she said, the first few days had gone smoothly.

“I was concerned about it because I have mood swings whenever I have an empty stomach,” said Ms Marquez, a freelance personal trainer.

“But Allah ordered us to fast in order to feel for the poor people who may live many days without having anything to eat, to know how they feel, for us to start helping them and value all the blessings that we already have on a daily basis.

“Alhamdulillah, I had no mood swings because I think when we also try to fast and do as Allah ordered us, He makes it easy for us and helps us to do it easily.”

She said converting to Islam made her feel like a newborn.

“It felt right and everything I did before to myself was like a scar that has been totally removed,” she said.

After fasting for the first few days, Ms Marquez said she feels “light, healthy and closer to Allah”.

“For me, praying has never been an issue and it is easy actually. Once I am praying and asking Allah for anything, surprisingly it gets granted sooner or later because Allah is so generous and if you are a good slave of Allah, there would be no limit for His generosity.”

Ms Marquez said she will also attempt to pray taraweeh – the extra prayers performed at night in the holy month – for the first time this year to “get more credit from Allah”.

She is also looking forward to her first Eid prayers during the Eid Al Fitr celebrations after Ramadan.