Know thy neighbour - better still - smile at 'em

Ramadan has arrived in all its beauty, solemnity and grace. We all are very much aware of the sense of occasion.

Tents have been set up and hotels and restaurants have geared up to cater to the season, very much like they do in the West for the Christmas week.

Ramadan is that time of the year, when time slows down and contemplation about one's life, the course it is taking and what changes are required, is undertaken.

Metaphysical matters, spirituality and the relationship of man and God come into focus. It is a time of healing, piety, brotherhood and generosity.

I say generosity - and not charity - because I feel it is an even higher virtue than the latter.

Obligatory charity has a predefined limit, but generosity is limited only by man's nature.

Personally, I feel that charity can be undertaken by anyone who can afford to, but generosity is a gift that can be extended by even those who don't have a fil in their pockets.

A sunny smile to one that is unhappy and lonely is not charity, but generosity of a human being towards another in distress.

Bringing a ray of sunshine with a personal touch into someone's light-bereft life, I believe, is more valuable than impersonally donating a bag of rice to the needy.

And the best part of it is that a smile can be given by anybody and everybody and at no cost. It even helps exercise the muscles of your face and keeps the skin, healthy and young.

The UAE is a place where it is said that more than 200 nationalities live together in peace and harmony.

A factor could be the fairly visible lack of communication between peoples from different nationalities.

How many of our friends are from a different country than ours? How many of our neighbours we know beyond just a hello? How many of our neighbours do we exchange a greeting with?

I am amazed, every time I walk through a souq or a public place, by the frozen, yes, even don't-come-near-me-don't-talk-to-me look that everyone seems to adorn. We have created a touch-me-not culture that creates superficial relationships, built mostly on 'what can I get out of them' attitude.

Perhaps this Ramadan, we can be charitable with our money, but also generous with our time, our smiles.

Perhaps we could comfort someone in need with companionship, warmth and our humanity?

I think I will start with my family. I already give them money - Ramadan or no Ramadan. It is perhaps time I was a little less frosty and gave them my time as well as a few encouraging words accompanied with a smile.

Tough job, but at least worth a try, what?

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