Tehmina Hussain - Sports Development & PE - Carnegie Faculty
What are your memories of Ramadan as a child?
My memories of Ramadan as a child are my family waking up really early to eat. We always openend our fast with a big feast in the evening
How do you start and end your fast? What foods do you eat?
I start my fast by waking up before i have to stop eating. I cant really eat in the morning so i have to force down what i can as much as possible as i know that i will need it during the day. The foods that I eat are the usual breakfast, a banana as it has alot of energy and plenty of water so that i dont get too dehydrated during the day.
I end my fast by drinking a sip of water as I can't get hold of dates at the moment.Ii make a big meal which includes a larger amount of carbs, salad and dessert. I mainly have alot of veg spinach is my favourite. It's not the same as when youre at home cos Iusually help outh with making foods such as filling samosas, kebabs, chutney etc
Is this your first Ramadan away from home?
Yes this is my first Ramadan away from home
Do you spend time planning how to get the most out of Ramadan?
I dont spend time however, I do think about what I am achieveing by fasting and it also gives me an insight on things that I take advantage of such as wasting food and money
What do you give up during fasting?
During fast I give up on going out as I think that it is a holy month and the time should be spent doing things that are worthwhile,I try to give up on listening to music and watching telly however as I am away from home its hard because theres nobody here to tell me off and its gets lonely at times
What sort of preparations take place for it in your family?
As we have radio ramzan we bring a radio downstairs and tune into it and there are also islamic channels on the telly which my family watch.
What changes do you make in your average day, if any?
The changes that I make are that I dont take part in any practical work as I get very tired, I cut down on extra curricular actvities.I try not to over work myself so that I can save energy,I also go bed to early so that I can wake up early for the fast
How does fasting affect your student life and academic work?
Fasting affects me alot as I am doing a sports course and find it frustrating when I cant do things such as play sport. im always tired as I have to get up very early and academically I find it hard to concentrate in lectures as I always drink lots of water and snack on foods I get hungry very quickly when im studying too.I do my best to focus but all I can think about is food.
What does Ramadan mean to YOU?
What Ramadan means to me is that it is holy month that reminds of what its like for people from poorer backgrounds than me who dont have any money for essestials such as food, it also makes me think about my religion more and the reasons why i refrain from things that im not allowed to do. I also think its about commitment and proving to myself that I can do it.
What Do YOU Get Out Of Ramadan?
What I get out of Ramadan is that I am proud of myself for coming so far as it takes alot of hard work and effort I also learn more about Islam and my family as it brings us closer together for example sitting down to open our fast and working together.
How do you celebrate Eid?
I celebrate Eid by spending it with my family mainly and then friends and relatives the next day. I think its a time to celebrate completeting your fasts therefore you do it as a whole. I dress up and paint alot of hands with henna as its something I enjoy doing. I hand out presents and cards to people I am close to.
Himy Mizda - Faculty of Innovation North
What are your memories of Ramadan as a child?
Ah it's unforgettable experience as I used to fast as many hours as I can to get reward that my dad promised me however even if I am not fasting I count the seconds to the time of Mogreb prayer the time we break our fast because that time is the best of times as we go with my father to the mosque and when you see all the people eating at the same time sharing dates and what ever they have with each other, then we go back home to have our dinner.
How do you start and end your fast? What foods do you eat?
We start the fast by having the Sahoor (the last meal you have before the time of dawn so you start the fat) and when I was a child there used to be a local man used to go around the streets with a Fanoos (the small oil candle thing) and start saying with a loud voice "Weak up O you who are a sleep and say there is only One God The Ever Lasting", so we weak up have our meal then pray the dawn prayer
We usually break our fast with dates or water as this is the way our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has taught us as you need to take it easy on your stomach after the long period of fast, then we pray the sunset prayer.
Is this your first Ramadan away from home?
No this is my forth Ramadan away from home
Do you spend time planning how to get the most out of Ramadan?
As a Muslim you should do because this month is the month of forgiveness and it gives you a push to stead fast on the right path the path of the once who good and forbid evil so you need to plan and take advantage of every second to your to your favour so you can pray this month will be witness on your favour on the day of judgment not against you. This is the month for renewing our commitment and re-establishing our relationship with our Creator. It is the spring season for goodness and virtues when righteousness blossoms throughout the Muslim communities. "If we combine all the blessings of the other eleven months, they would not add up to the blessings of Ramadan," said the great scholar and reformer Shaikh Ahmed Farooqi. It offers every Muslim an opportunity to strengthen his Iman, purify his heart and soul, and to remove the evil effects of the sins committed by him/her.
What do you give up during fasting?
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whosoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allah the Mighty and Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and drink."
He (PBUH) also said:
"Fasting is not merely abstaining from eating and drinking. Rather, it is also abstaining from ignorant and indecent speech. So if anyone abuses or behaves ignorantly with you, then say: I am fasting, I am fasting." (15)
These narrations point towards the importance of truthfulness and good manners. Thus, this blessed month teaches us not only to abstain from food and drink, but to also abstain from such statements and actions that may be the cause of harming people and violating their rights and it doesn't mean we stop doing such things only in Ramadan and we can do afterwards NO but as I mentioned earlier this month is a month of self teaching and you charge your batteries during this month.
What sort of preparations takes place for it in your family?
Ah imagine the queen is coming to visit your house what are you going to do??!
I guess you are going to do the best you can to please her so you will be pleased with yourself. Ramadan is special guest which has special place in our hearts so as a family we prepare the house and ourselves to host this holy month so we fast as much as we can from the days of the month before Ramadan so we make our souls ready for this month.
What do you do on the day itself?
All kind worship, work, sport, visit relatives and friends, help the mosque to prepare to host the people and help your family preparing for the dinner.
How does fasting affect your student life and academic work?
Should make you work harder as work is kind of worship.
What does Ramadan mean to YOU?
Beyond words
What Do YOU Get Out Of Ramadan?
I get stronger personality, more patient, hoping for the mercy of Allah and after this month I feel very upset because I don't know if I am going to live to the next Ramadan or not.
How do you celebrate Eid?
I wake up in early morning and have a very nice breakfast and dress the best of clothes then I go to pray the Eid prayer after I finish the prayer I start congratulating the people ad you see the people feeling happy and congratulating each other in a scene that I don't have the words to describe then I go home to congratulate my family and have a tea and some sweets with them after a while the people start arriving to our home to share the happiness and afterwards I go to the neighbours, friends and relatives to share these great moments with them.
Arif from Leeds
I want to share my Ramadan with you. I feel really lucky that I am able to make ramadan. I think it really prepares me to face for all the hardships in life. Your never know when you are going to be hit by hardship and having faith gives you a head start. I always feel that during Ramadan I tend to reflect on things and become self critical and I am amazed at how much I have still to learn and do so I pray for help and guidance. Fasting for a month is hard, sometimes people look at you as 'you sad person' and it can be hard to convince yourself that you are doing the right thing espiially when everyone around you is not fasting. But you carry on regardless ............ at the end I feel purified and lighter. It really is special!
Nosheen Aslam - Faculty of Arts and Society
My memories of Ramadan as a child are those of family members always being together to begin and end the fast.
How do you start end your fast? What foods do you eat?
To start the fast we usually eat cereal or fruit generally something light, we then pray and read the Qur'an, before going back to sleep that's if we don't have an early start in the morning, otherwise we would stay up. To end the fast we either drink water or eat a date. Muslims end their fasts this way as it is Sunnah (way of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, (pbuh))
Do you spend time planning how to get the most out of Ramadan?
I do plan my time in terms of making sure I' am able to read as much of the Qur'an during Ramadan as possible. This is very important to me as it was during Ramadan when the Qur'an was sent down as guidance to mankind. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to recite the Qur'an to Angel Gabriel every night during Ramadan, therefore it is recommended to finish reading or at least listening to the whole Qur'an during the Tarawih prayers in Ramadan.
What do you do on the day itself?
We start our fast like I mentioned above, and go about our usual routine making sure we perform all five prayers, and read extra Qur'an than usual. After ending the fast many people go to the Mosque to pray Salah Al-Tarawih this is one of the unique characteristics of Ramadan. This takes place in congregation at night after the Isha prayer (the fifth prayer of the day)
What changes do you make in your average day, if any?
Many people believe that during Ramadan Muslims simply don't eat from sunrise till sunset; however there is more to Ramadan than this. Ramadan is the perfect time for self-improvement and to harvest good deeds through this, due to this I make sure I perform additional acts of worship. Fasting takes place with the whole body and not just the stomach, which means Muslims take extra precaution to make sure they don't swear, use bad language, or waste their time by taking part in vain talk along with many other things. This is very significant as the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said "Fasting is not only abstaining from eating and drinking, but it also includes abstaining from vain and obscene talk…………."
How does fasting affect your student life and academic work?
I wouldn't say that fasting affects my student life or academic work in any major way but I just make sure I have enough time to read Qur'an etc.
What does Ramadan mean to you?
For me Ramadan is the most beautiful time of the year, it's a time when family members make that extra effort to be together and it's a time when you truly appreciate what you have. Ramadan encourages you to improve yourself as a Muslim and hopefully this lasts after the month has ended. During Ramadan Muslims give extra charity to the most needy which means those people who are less well off are not only able to gain from this charity but are also able to take part in Eid celebrations. Giving of charity is important in Islam and during Ramadan this is done more widely, as a result of this a large number of people are helped and it's a time when you are able to bring happiness to those people who do not have as much as you.
How can you get the most out of Ramadan?
I try and plan my time during Ramadan to make sure I can fit in the additional acts of worship I wish to carry out.
How do you celebrate Eid?
We tend to have an early morning on Eid and wake up to phone calls from family and friends congratulating us on the day of Eid. It is Sunnah to congratulate each other on the day of Eid. We got to the Mosque to pray our Eid prayer in the morning.The Eid prayer expresses thanks to Allah and people of all races, social status and culture attend the prayer showing the unity and solidarity of the community. After this all my family gather at my mother's house for a big family lunch, everyone is dressed in their best clothes and gifts are given and received. During the day we visit friends and family and then in the evening we go to family members house for a late dinner
Abada Jamil. Early Childhood Education - Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education
What are your memories of Ramadan as a child?
I remember waking up really early to have something to eat before the Fajar prayer started. I lived in an extended family so all of us would get up together and have something to eat and then we would pray together.
How do you start and end your fast?
I usually have something to eat mainly cereal and water. I treat it as having my breakfast rather than thinking I need to eat loads. Then I will pray the Fajar pray (morning pray) and read a bit of Quran before going back to sleep.
We usually end our fast my having something to eat.
Do you spend time planning how to get the most of Ramadan?
Each year before Ramadan begins I usually think about what I want to achieve by the end of the month and to see if I can avoid that particular habit after Ramadan has finished. Ramadan should be seen not just for the month but also all year round. So I aim to avoid that particular habit after Ramadan has finished.
What do you give up during fasting?
I try not to watch television that often and give up listening to music. I also try to avoid thinking about any negative thoughts and try to ignore them. I also think about what is important and think twice about my actions
What do you do on the day itself?
We usually get up in the morning to close the fast and during the day I do what I usually do on a regular day. In the evening I open my fast read the Quran and then pray Tarawih prayer with my relatives.
How does fasting affect your student life and academic work?
It doesn't affect my student life, as I will attend my lectures, however I do usually tend to feel more tired and therefore may not concentrate fully. I also try to organise my time so that I have time to do my academic work and as well as reading the Quran and preparing for the aftari.
What does Ramadan mean to you?
To me Ramadan means giving up any bad habits that you may have. Spending each second as if it is your last Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of blessing and forgiveness and therefore I aim to do everything to please Allah. I don't just see Ramadan as month but as an act of worship that should be carried out throughout the year and not for just a month. It also means making the most of the time you have to worship and ask for forgiveness, as the rewards in this month are high.
How can you get the most out of Ramadan?
By planning your time efficiently so that you are able to carryout the extra prayers and the regular prayers, to read the Quran, seek more knowledge so that you can increase your Iman (faith). To think twice about your actions and what affect this will have. As mentioned before you will only get the most out of it if you think that this Ramadan maybe your last.
How do celebrate Eid?
I celebrate Eid by reading the Eid prayer in the morning. Then I usually tend to visit my grandmas house where all my relatives will meet together and have a big feast together. Then we will give out presents and sweets and visit friends.
Rizwan Shaikh - Faculty of Innovation North
I think these fasts are longer but I feel more relaxed
My Ramadan as a child is remembered by doing shorter fasts but in cold days they were very hard. I start my fast with a bowl of cereal and a good old cup of tea, end my fast with samosas etc and meal eg curry, take out etc. I am not away from home, I commute everyday as live in Dewsbury. I plan spending time praying and getting the best out of Ramadan. In Ramadan I am less active and I don't really give that much up other than Sleep. I spend time thinking about what I have got and thank god for everything he has given me.
My preparations generally include getting up really early in the morning, eating, praying, going to sleep. I wake up for uni etc etc. I return home break my fast and go to the mosque for more prayers. That's about it.
The main changes include getting up before day break to eat something and not eating untill the evening.Fasting affects my student life as I have less energy so I can't go around playing sports etc which I love to do.It affects my academic work a little bit because my concentration levels get low.Ramadan to me means giving up my normal day to day life and giving one month to god, and just thinking about what god has given me and
being thankful for everything. Ramadan reminds me what it is like to live like people who don't have food etc. This makes you realise what position you are in and how fortunate you are.
I celebrate Eid by having a feast with all my friends and relatives, exchanging gifts and generally having a good time. Its like a Muslim version of Christmas.
Nail Sirlan - Leslie Silver International Faculty
Ramadan is the holy month in Islam which is characterized by fasting. It is purpose is to improve self control and confidence, develop a culture of friendship and sharing with others. By stopping eating and drinking from dusk to down Muslims further improve their control on their bodies' desires which also help them to stay away from harmful actions. This also helps them to develop human values like appreciating the situation of the poor and hungary people. It is customary to invite other people to dinner (Iftar) to improve friendships and to share food during Ramadan. The rich give to the poor and to needy during Ramadan. One has to pay Zekat (money or products proportional to one's wealth) and Fitre ( money per person) to the needful people.This helps to improve social balance and relationships. At the end of the Ramadan the elderly people are visited and the children are given presents. All the enimosities are expected to be left behind and friends who are not talking to each other are encouraged to meet and forget about their past enimosities.

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