Faith

Fasting for Muslims is considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam and is compulsory for Muslims. Right now, thousands of Muslims across West Yorkshire are taking part.

It is common to have one meal (known as the suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the iftar), directly after sunset.

At the end of the month, once fasting has been completed, a big celebration takes place known as 'Eid-ul-Fitr', the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.

During this celebration Muslims dress in their finest clothes, give gifts to children and spend time with their friends and family.

Fasting isn't easy, not even for adults. In some families, children as young as seven are encouraged to fast to help prepare them for the future. So how are the younger people across West Yorkshire coping?

We've been out in Batley, to see how children are finding the month and to ask them to share their experiences...

Maria

Maria - Age 7

"Ramadan is a time when you fast for poor people and you have to pray. I wake up early and I eat my breakfast and I go to bed.

"My favourite thing about Ramadan is I get presents on Eid day and I get presents because I keep my fasts." 

Amir

Amir - Age 13

"I have kept them all so far. I have found the fast easy as I have found things to do to pass my time, like praying and playing with my computer.

"I fast because it's part of my religion and it's part of the five pillars of Islam.

"I was nine-years-old when I first started my fasts and I will try to keep my fasts for the whole month. All my Muslim friends are fasting, and we all compare our food.

"My favourite thing about Ramadan is eating after fasting all day."

Zainab

Zainab - Age 10

"I like Ramadan because you fast and it is nice to give food to your neighbours during the month.

"It's good because you get to pray and I like all the nice food my mum makes at home in the evenings. I think it's fun and I look forward to it every year.

"I'm planning to fast next week in Ramadan, and only at the weekends because this year they are very long, so it will be hard."

Osman

Osman - Age 16

"This holy month is to get us closer to Allah. It's very important as 30 days can go fast. You can do many things, you can pray the Quran.

"As you get older it's upon you too fast.

"So far it's been good, the day goes quickly. It's only that last half-an-hour that you have to wait for. It's just once a year and I feel good, I feel spiritual. It's like a challenge."

Aminah

Aminah - Age 14

"Even though I'm 14-years-old, I think it's very important to fast but I think it's quite hard to start at a young age, but it's so you get used to it and as you get older it doesn't seem so hard.

"The hardest part is when you have to wake up early in the morning, because you're all tired and sleepy, but then you do get used to it.

"After you've broken your fast you feel very tired and sleepy, because you don't eat all day. The fasts are longer this year so they are harder.

"The best part is Eid at the end of the month. It's a celebration and everyone gets together and you can have fun and enjoy yourself at the end. "

Fizla

Fizla Patel - Age 14

"We fast to get our hearts close to Allah.  I started fasting four years ago and they were very hard but they seem to be getting easier.  I don't think think it's that hard. The only thing is you do feel very thirsty.

"My entire family keeps fast during the month which is really good."