What is Ramadan? Young Muslim women share their experience

The holy month of Ramadan has just come to an end for Muslims across the globe but what actually happens during this time?

With the sighting of the moon, Ramadan is declared in each respective country for those that observe it and 30 days of fasting begins.

In this month, those of the Muslim faith abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.

In West Berkshire the fast begins at around 3am and is broken at 8pm at night as the sun sets – which is called the time of ‘iftaar’.

Four young Muslim women from around the district have shared their experiences and what the month has meant to them.

Trainee pharmacist Naqia Charania, 23 said: “I think my favourite part of Ramadan has got to be when you meet a Muslim at work and you see each other and you know exactly how the other one is feeling. I feel like it’s the month which brings all Muslims together regardless of their culture and background.”

She went on: “I think a misconception people have is that we might not look forward to this month or enjoy fasting, which would make sense, but in all honesty I know most Muslims always look forward to this.

“I think it’s because it’s not just about staying hungry for us, it’s much more than that. It’s a month dedicated to building your relationship with God.”

The Tilehurst resident said that one of her main struggles is the lack of sleep and said: “You have to go to work and work like you’ve had your eight hours of sleep.”

A lot of Muslims give up other habits with the aim of detaching from worldly pleasures and substituting it for educating themselves on the purpose of life, watching Islamic talks and partaking in charitable acts.

Miss Charania said: “I think people are quite supportive in general and also very respectful about it.

“I met a colleague yesterday who usually plays music in the pharmacy and she had stopped doing that for the month of Ramadan because she knew we won’t be listening to any music.

“This was actually really cute.”

University student Fatima Chowdhury, 22 said: “People are surprised and intrigued and wanting to know more about it and why we do it.

“Most of them are respectful and have said they attempted to try it or would like to try it one time."

West Berkshire resident Tahrima Hussain, 23, added: “My favourite part of Ramadan is sitting down with my family at iftaar, as life outside of Ramadan, it’s usually hard to get everyone to eat together due to their different schedules. We also make more of an effort to pray together, which is really beneficial for us to bond as a family.”

Miss Hussain said she struggles with the lack of water as she would usually consume two litres every day. She said: “During Ramadan, I feel like I don’t drink as much between sunset and just before sunrise. But I definitely begin to adapt to the change after a few days.”

Aside from food and drink many Muslims try to give up bad habits like smoking, swearing or gossiping.

In addition, they use the time to focus on their faith and practice aspects of their religion that may have been otherwise forgotten in the fast pace of life.

The month, which is the month in the Islamic calendar where the Quran was revealed, is spent reading this holy book, pondering its meaning and working on becoming closer to God through it.

Every night, after breaking the fast, Muslims try to attended the ‘taraweeh’ night prayers where they congregate behind an imam who recites verses of the Quran in the bid to complete it within the 30 days – the last week being the most well attended and emotional nights for many.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of faith and is obligatory on all members of the faith bar those who are too old, too young, pregnant, unwell or on their period.

School student Ennaya Ahmed, 16, said: “I look forward to Ramadan in that it is a time where the community is bought together a bit more than the rest of the year. It’s nice to go out of your way to do good deeds but keep them quiet.

“I feel like the whole Ramadan experience is nulled a bit by the routines of school and work but I think I could be doing more to not let outside influences affect my faith personally.”

She added: “My favourite part of Ramadan is probably delivering food to people I haven’t talked to in a while or seeing my friends at the mosque when we stay for the evening prayer. I think the hardest part is probably refraining from listening to explicit music and swearing and gossiping.”

This year the celebration concluding the month fell on Bank Holiday Monday (May 2) for those who saw the moon and for those who didn't, the celebrations took place the following day (May 3).