Below are some tips on the nature of the contribution requested. Once these are collected I will put them on-line so they can be shared.(You don't have to answer all of them). E-mail your response to y.valli@leedsmet.ac.uk

What are your memories of Ramadan as a child?
How do you start and end your fast? What foods do you eat?
Is this your first Ramadan away from home?
Do you spend time planning how to get the most out of Ramadan?
What do you give up during fasting?
What sort of preparations take place for it in your family?
What do you do on the day itself?
What changes do you make in your average day, if any?
How does fasting affect your student life and academic work?
What does Ramadan mean to YOU?
How can you get the most out of Ramadan?

What Do YOU Get Out Of Ramadan?
How do you celebrate Eid?

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A bit more about Ramadan ......................

Among the most important duties for a Muslim is fasting during the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth of the twelve months in the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims like Jews, use a lunar calendar for their religious observances. A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a typical Gregorian year. As a result, dates of events in the Islamic lunar year "move forward" about 11 days every year.
Ramadan is important for Muslims because it is believed to be the month during which the Holy Quran (the Muslims Holy book) was revealed.
Fasting is as old as the human race. All the major religions in the world, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, expect their followers to fast in some form or another. It is believed that fasting has always been the same in all the major religions in the world but changes happened as time passed by and by the appearance of new sects in different religions.
The most common motives for fasting are religious ones. In a religious
fast there are three primary purposes: self-control over the body and
its appetites; focusing the mind on God or prayer; making sacrifice to
God for offences committed. The Western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have, from their inception, set aside certain times in the year for regular fasting observances.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. This means not to eat, drink or smoke during the daylight hours. The fasting person is expected to do his best to practice self control and discipline, not to get angry easy, refrain from using harsh language or insults and to tolerate, forgive and respect others. Young children, old and sick people are not expected to fast. Older people can feed a poor person for every day they cannot fast of Ramadan. Sick people can compensate by fasting other days when they feel well. Children are permitted to fast only when they are strong enough physically to tolerate fasting without difficulty
After the end of Ramadan, traditionally there will be a very festive and joyous holiday known as Eid, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. It is celebrated for three days. Gifts are exchanged, children are often rewarded with gifts, money, and sweets. Lights and other decorations mark the happy occasion.

There is much information about Ramadan on the internet and recommended literature is also included.

The five pillars of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life::

1. Salat - (to bow) ritual prayers five times a day - Muslims face towards Mecca
2. Zakat - means purification - paying of alms - a reminder of economic and social duties. This is paid by those who can afford to do so otherwise one would receive Zakat
3. Ramadan - the month long Muslim fast (sawm in Arabic), during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking, smoking, unruly thoughts and other forms of worldly pleasures. The chief purpose behind the ritual fast is to bind the community as one. It is a reminder of the suffering and poverty of those among them who go without food throughout the year. For this reason Muslims who are not allowed to fast - the old and the sick, the pregnant and nursing, travellers and those who perform heavy manual labour.
4. Hajj - (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca) is the fourth and perhaps the most famous pillar of Islam. All Muslims must, if possible, journey to Mecca at least once in their lives to take part in the sacred rites of the ka'ba.
5. Shahadah - the profession of faith in God