I’m sure everyone has noticed the tents that have been erected around town. Most are there to offer iftar buffets or suhoor for those looking for something to do in the emirate.

But these are not the tents that interest me. For me, the more interesting tents are those that are run by charities.

They are dotted around the city and offer one of two services. Either they are large enough to provide food for the poor and needy, or they are smaller tents that allow members of society to donate food, clothes, water or other essentials so that they can be donated to those in need throughout this holy month.

Weekends in Ramadan are family time for me. It’s the time we can all just relax and catch up without the stress of knowing that we have to be up early for work or to take the kids to school.

My cousin has two children, a boy aged four and a daughter who is two.

They both watch as their parents fast all day and eat only at night. They see them getting up to pray and to read the Quran.

For the past few days I’ve been invited for iftar at open buffets. As a general rule I do not enjoy these events.

I know most people like them because of the variety of food on offer and because they are better value for money than the a la carte options.

For me they are wasteful events. This bothers me that bit more in Ramadan, when we fast all day and remember those less fortunate and then go out to eat and throw away a large percentage of the food made. I ask you, what’s the point?

As much as I love my religion and feel committed to it, I have to admit I am by no means a perfect Muslim, nor am I as religious as I’d like to be.

On normal days I do not prioritise waking up for the morning prayer which is just before 5am. Even though it is compulsory I find myself too tired or lazy to get up.

In addition to this, I do not normally go to the mosque except on Fridays or to attend the occasional prayer every now and then.

I have to say that one of the things I miss the most about being in the UK is how the mosques are used.

They are centres of the community, one of the few places where Muslims can come together and meet.

Every year when I attend taraweeh prayers during Ramadan, I see the same faces. When I don’t see one I am told about new developments in their lives, if they emigrated, married etc.

I have previously mentioned that there are many people who are exempt and do not have to fast or are forbidden from doing so.

In spite of this, many are allowed to continue with our types of worship and so can still gain reward during this month.

Every evening at Taraweeh, the nightly prayers held during Ramadan, I see elderly men and women walking into the mosque. It is obvious that some of them cannot fast; however, they still attend the prayers to get a sense of the month and partake in it.

For Muslims, the importance of fasting is not just in completing a major part of their religion but it is in the weight that is given to observing this holy month.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be rewarded ten to seven hundred times its worth, except for the fast, for it is for God, and He will reward it.

"The one who fasts leaves off his desires and his food for God’s sake. There are two times of joy for the one fasting. The time of joy when he breaks his fast and the time of joy when he meets His Lord (on the Day of Judgment).”

It’s Day 10 of Ramadan. We are already one third of the way through the month.

Though for many this means we are that much closer to its end and the start of normality in life, for Muslims it marks the end of one phase and start of a new segment of these holy 30 days.

Ramadan is split into three 10-day segments which each have their own significance.

I have been asked many times about who can and cannot fast during Ramadan.

Although observing Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslims, there are some who are exempt from it.

Here are some of the people who do not have to fast:

I was raised in London and until recently had never observed Ramadan in a Muslim country.

My first experience came in 2005 when I moved to Dubai. It was all very exciting for me. I expected big things but soon found that in such a mixed society nothing too big can happen.

Though the majority of the British population in the UK do not fast during Ramadan, I felt the month’s presence because I was surrounded by family and friends who observed it.

Even though children do not have to fast Ramadan, it doesn’t mean they cannot partake in its activities. Perhaps one of the most fun things that happens during this month is the cannon fire at iftar time.

There are several cannons that go off at break fast time in Dubai and Sharjah, I visited the one at Safa Park.

As people wait for the cannon to go off, children sit on the roof of their parents’ cars to get a good view while others take the chance to have a look around the cannon.

Apart from refraining from food, drink, smoking and other activities during Ramadan, Muslims are asked to read the Quran more regularly and pray more.

For the holy month, taraweeh prayers are held. These occur after the evening prayer and can be completed in congregation or solitude but are unique to Ramadan.

At this time, mosques are full and it is almost impossible to find a place to park your car, let alone pray, if you arrive late.

It is truly amazing to see that the number of non-Muslims who are fasting in Ramadan increases every year.

The UAE is a truly global society, which includes people from all nationalities, walks of life and religions - and it bodes well for the country when those living here partake in its culture, heritage and religion and respect them.

I spent iftar yesterday with my non-Muslim friends who are participating in the month of fasting.

It's the first weekend of Ramadan and so the first chance for people to visit each other and spend time with family and friends or perhaps even people they have never met.

Having spent the weekend with my uncle, cousins and their kids, it really made me miss my mother, father and siblings in the UK. They, too, got together for iftar, the break fast meal, on the first day of Ramadan.

As I drove along Al Wasl Road, I caught sight of some of the beautiful things that happen throughout Ramadan. Petrol stations and shops distributing dates and water to those who find themselves driving at iftar time.

As Ramadan approaches, you see people getting ready for the holy month.

Shopping for special Ramadan treats and going to tailors to make that perfect Eid outfit (you have to get in there quickly otherwise no one will have time to make your clothes for you!).

The supermarkets are packed and everyone’s excitement is contagious - although, for expats living away from home, this can be a difficult period where their distance from their family can really be felt.