Ramadan: an interview with Yasmin

Thu 09 May 2019

This week, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan has begun. Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims, during which they fast (no food or drink) from dawn until dusk.

Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims as it is during Ramadan that the Qur’an, the holy book for Muslims, was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Allah (God). The blessings for a person’s good actions are multiplied in this month, and so you are likely to see Muslims not only fasting but also doing more charitable work and striving to improve their character and relationships with others.

We caught up with our colleagues to find out more about Ramadan, and what it’s like to fast:

What’s your name and where do you work?

My name is Yasmin and I’m an Insolvency Administrator in London (joined in January!).

How do you find fasting from a spiritual and practical perspective?

From a spiritual point of view, fasting makes me more thankful and appreciative of all that I have. Practically, fasting makes me more productive as I spend less time thinking of food…

How do you structure your day in Ramadan?

I usually wake up for Suhoor (when you eat before the fast begins) at around 3am, perform my morning prayer and read some verses from the Quran. I then go back to sleep for an hour or so, wake up and get ready for work at around 6am. After work, I go home and start preparing my Iftar meal with family to break my fast. Then I go to sleep to wake up and do it all over again.

What do you look forward to the most in Ramadan?

Spending more time with family, actively learning more about my religion and the overall communal vibe of the Holy Month.

Any advice for colleagues who are not fasting?

Yes, not even water.

Thanks to Yasmin for sharing her Ramadan routine with us. Check out our other Ramadan interviews with Sairah, Hem, and Ruzwan.