Keep calm, it’s Ramadan

I love Ramadan as it brings the family together for a meal. Everyone is so busy with their daily lives, but we make sure to break our fast together. Fasting isn’t too bad as iftar is just before 5.00pm, better than Germany where the sun sets after 9.00pm! I’m grateful for the short days as this year Ramadan has fallen near the busy exam period at university. It’s funny when I’m fasting and my friends don’t want to eat in front of me, as the whole point of Ramadan is to experience the hunger that less fortunate people face. It definitely makes me appreciate how fortunate we are to always have food and water on the table.
Beheshta Wasseh, Sydney

Usually I work from 8.30am to 6.00pm. But during Ramadan I organise with my team to start around 6.30am-7.00am. I wake up for sehri (suhur for some) and instead of going back to sleep I head to work. I finish work around 3.30pm, which thankfully gives me enough time to make it home for iftar with the family. My team makes sure any meetings are scheduled around my Ramadan times and I also get the opportunity to work from home some days. As a thank you, I bring them a ginormous platter of biryani after Eid!
Nayna Pinata, Sydney

During Ramadan I get to work a bit earlier so I can get home in time for iftar and prayer. I take the travel time to and from work to make my daily dua and reflect on all the things I’m grateful for. I also make time to socialise!
Faiaz Faruque, Sydney

I don’t feel the length of the day at work – unless unless someone’s eating something particularly fragrant! Fasting in Ramadan has such a focus on detoxing and learning more about the Islam that it is easy to work, play, pray and even organise charity iftars and dinners to raise funds for those in need. Our charity in Canberra called Sitara’s Story is raising funds for mental health awareness among Bangladesh youth to address suicide rates. Collective humanity is what gives me purpose and drives balance in Ramadan.
Shafeen, Canberra

Personally, Ramadan is an opportunity to stop, pause, think and reflect on my actions, my deeds especially in this paced, materialistic life we live. Running around jobs, money,  stressing about little things in life which we don’t have control on. Ramadan is not just about not eating or not drinking. It’s about your whole being, how you live, behave and act. I try my best for all above, do charity, fast, pray, try to abstain from all my bad habits but in the end, we are all human. During Ramadan, we wake up for sehri before dawn, then pray and leave for work.
I have very supportive employers. They give me flexibility to to leave early so that I can be home at time for iftar, and allowing time for prayers is great. As an employee, I feel much more motivated and content with the job. Once I’m back home for iftar, it’s time to be with family. I love the bhajiyas, kebabs, tandoori, and the list goes on! I also love the food at Lakemba streets.
Nadeem Ahmed, Sydney

As a child, I was taught that Ramadan is the month of Allah – a spiritual month of forgiveness, charity, and prayers. Whatever you desire in life; if you ask for during this month, Allah will make it happen. Fast forward to today, and I still uphold these values. It is also a month of togetherness; we come together to pray, break bread, and share our Ramadan experiences.
Tasneem, Sydney