My Ramadan Experience… Asma Sacha

This Ramadan we spoke with our Muslim colleagues about their Ramadan Experience. Asma Sacha talks about her experiences, goals and what the holy month means to her. 

“This year, Ramadan in the UK started in the evening of Monday 11 March 2024. Ramadan to me is a month of fasting (no food or water), contemplation through prayer, and personal development. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is extremely important to all Muslims around the world.

I find the month incredibly serene and peaceful. I usually wake up with my family for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, which is around 3.30am. People who know me know that I love my sleep, so I do have to set multiple alarms! Suhoor is important to get through the rest of the day and I usually eat the same food every day; one date, a glass of water and half a banana. My stomach can’t cope with anymore food at that time of the morning.

Following suhoor I pray fajr, the early dawn prayer and then sleep for a few more hours before it is time to wake up for work. I open my fast with my family at sunset, which changes by a few minutes every day. I always open my fast with a glass of water, a few dry dates followed by a hearty meal. Sometimes I occasionally indulge in samosas and some sweet treats!

Ramadan is one month where my life slows down a little, it gives me a chance to concentrate on what is important to me in life, breaking my fast with my loved ones, spending quality time together with my friends and family, giving to charity, reflecting on those less fortunate and building good habits.

To provide some historical context, the Quran (holy book) was revealed to Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) during the month of Ramadan. This book serves as a guidebook to better ourselves. I find it a wonderful feeling knowing there are around 1.9 billion Muslims around the world all with a common aim.

I have been fortunate to work in a team that allows flexibility to my working day, enabling me to prepare and enjoy a meal with my family and work around my most active hours. Sometimes I start work a little later and work after iftar (sunset meal) and sometimes I start earlier and finish earlier (before the iftar meal). My managers and colleagues always ask how I am feeling at the beginning of the day and have always asked if I needed any support, this is really appreciated.

After 30 days of fasting, I look forward to Eid which is a celebratory day for all Muslims and is based on the sighting of the new moon. I exchange small gifts with friends and family and reminisce over our countless blessings. It is a time to catch up with people I haven’t seen in a while and spend quality time with them.

To sum up, every single year I have pre-Ramadan nerves, the fear of not being able to handle fasting but once I start, it becomes easier and then before you know it, it has ended. This Ramadan has been particularly challenging due to personal circumstances and also the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe and if I don’t take anything else away, it would be to live in the present and cherish your loved ones!”