"What, not even water?" - Sultan

Sultan works for Sutton Council and share his Ramadan reflections.

Ramadan was always a month of joy when I was growing up. As a child it was something I looked forward to.

My entire family would wake up together to eat the morning meal just before dawn (known as Suhoor).

I was enjoying the different types of food we used to have right after the sunset (known as iftaar), where every member of the family was giving a hand in preparing the food and serving together. It is a custom for Muslims to invite their friends, families and neighbours for iftar. Having guests for iftar would bring more smiles into our faces.

The most exciting days were when the month of Ramadan came to an end and was marked by a big celebration called ‘Eid ul-Fitr’. The joyous celebration of Eid would last for three days when we were wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts, offering charity and visiting families and friends.

As I grew up, I learned that fasting is not only abstaining from drinking or eating but it is seen as a way to learn patience, build self-discipline and tolerance, break bad habits and leaving immoral acts and anger. I found out that this month is also a time to strengthen the social bonds and an opportunity to reconnect to inner-self and outer-self.

I realised that fasting is not only an act of worship as a chance to get closer to our lord but a way to become more compassionate to those in need and reflect on our surroundings and appreciate all that this world has to offer.