Ramadan in Qatar: A Shared Awakening for My Wife and Me

With the arrival of Ramadan 2025 under Qatar’s crescent moon, my wife and I are stepping into a new experience together. I’ve lived in the Middle East during this month before, captivated by its cadence and meaning, but for her, it’s a first, and for us as a married couple, it’s our initial Ramadan as partners. As non-Muslims in Qatar, we’re finding our footing in this season, not through planned fasting, but through the pull of iftar, the hum of suhoor, and a quiet, shared curiosity.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, dedicating themselves to prayer, reflection, and generosity. I’ve long admired its depth, and now I’m sharing it with my wife, who’s intrigued by the rituals, the breaking of the fast with dates at iftar, the pre-dawn energy of suhoor. Her newcomer’s lens reignites my own appreciation, making this feel like a rediscovery.

We haven’t fasted on purpose, but Qatar’s rhythm has a way of sweeping you along. A hectic day might mean skipping meals or water without thinking, and suddenly we’re exchanging smiles over our accidental fasts. It’s not intentional, but it’s enough to taste the discipline, to feel a flicker of awe at what our Muslim friends undertake. Those moments linger as we join them at iftar, the sunset meal that transforms hunger into celebration.

Iftar here is a revelation. We’ve been welcomed to tables laden with machboos, harees, and fragrant sweets, the air thick with chatter and gratitude. For my wife, it’s her gateway to Middle Eastern warmth; for me, it’s a chance to savor it anew through her eyes. The call to prayer fades, dates are passed, and we’re part of something communal, a breaking of bread that transcends faith. Then there’s suhoor, the pre-dawn meal that hums with a different energy. We’ve stayed up late, drawn by the stories swapped over coffee and bread, feeling the quiet resolve of a city preparing for another day of fasting.

Professionally, I’m no stranger to Ramadan’s flow, the way of the workdays, subdued afternoons, a focus on balance. Now, I’m guiding my wife through it, from respecting the daytime lull to embracing the late-night pulse of suhoor preparations. It’s a lesson in adaptability, mirroring our marriage: navigating, supporting, and syncing up.

This Ramadan is ours in an understated way. My past in the Middle East gave me a foundation, but sharing it with my wife—her first, our first together—adds richness. We’re not here to claim a faith that isn’t ours, but to honor its values: endurance, kindness, connection. In Qatar, where tradition and modernity blend so seamlessly, we’re thankful to be part of this season, even if by happenstance.

To our friends and colleagues: Ramadan Mubarak. Thank you for inviting us into your iftars and suhoors.