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Nazneen Sanji talking to Kate Tebby

Fasting from dawn until sunset

By Kate Tebby

Nazneen Sanji is a muslim from Telford. She's also a diabetic, but still fasts for the month of Ramadan. From dawn until sunset she doesn't eat or drink and only at night breaks her fast with a date.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast during daylight hours. It's a time for reflection, prayer, giving to charity and spending time with family and friends.

More about Ramadan on the BBC >

"It is a very good discipline... there are so many poor people in the world who do not have food or water"
Nazneen Sanji

Nazneen Sanji from Woodside in Telford gets up at 3am during the summer when she reads the Koran, prays, and cooks breakfast. During Ramadan at 4.30am she then stops eating and drinking until the sun sets.

After the first three days you get used to it, she says: "It is a very good discipline... that teaches children as well that there are so many poor people in the world who do not have food and water".

Fasting from dawn til dusk >

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Nazneen Sanji reading the Koran

Fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Koran, because they believe Ramadan was the time when God began revealing the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad.

As evening approaches, family and friends join Nazneen and her husband to break the fast with a date before enjoying a meal: "it's always dates because that is what our Prophet used to do".

As a diabetic, Nazneen doesn't have to fast, but for the month of Ramadan she chooses to: "I have got that faith in my Lord, my Allah... he does give me the strength to fast".

last updated: 02/09/2008 at 15:35
created: 02/09/2008

Have Your Say

Are you fasting for Ramadan?

Kaleem
I don't fast, but my husband does. I eat lunch at work and don't tell him. If he chooses to do it that up to him. But I don't feel this is neccessary.

usman ahmed
i am fasting for ramadan and i think every muslim should

sara
i fast we should to feel how the poor are feeling everyday the won't get food but we still do.the amount of food we waste and eat fasting makes us think twice thanks to our lord allah we have everything it's only a month we can do it.

mrs nidha noushad
"FASTING SCINTIFICALLY GOOD FOR EVERY HUMAN MACHINE,BECAUSE HUMAN STOMACH WORKS 24 HOURS DAY 365 DAYS A YEAR, SO EVERY MACHINE NEED A BREAK,SO IF YOU GIVE BREAK IN BETWEEN THIS FOR A MONTH ,YOURS MACHINE CAN BE PURIFIED,RELIGIOUSLY AS A PERSON YOU SHOULD FEEL WHAT IS POVERTY MEANT TO BE SO THAT YOU CAN THANK GOD YOU ARE FEEDED REGULARLY"

Abdalla Osman
I am fasting and the day time in UK is 16 hours to too long but it is fare enough if we compared with 45 degree temperature of Africa. Where when I was first time start fasting, I start spray water to myself at 10 am

Ex Muslim
Fasting for such a long period without food and water is not physiological and causes a lot of problems during this month. There are even deaths as some people refuse to break their fast. You can be disciplined and give to charity without fasting.

NAQEEB UR REHMAN
Yes i am fasting and will keep fasting throughout the Ramadhan month.Its good for health both physically and mentally. This month is an exercise to refrain from all evils whether inner or outer in whole life.

Munia
usually whilst at work by 11am Im so hungry and moaning, but during Ramadan I dont feel this at all, its as though my mind is disciplined to not think of food. I feel peaceful, calm. fasting makes a person more stronger and has shown me if you put your mind to something, you can acheive anything. I feel I know myself better and this makes me a strong person.

Julie Muhs
I am living in Egypt wokring for Vodafone and I am fasting with my muslim colleagues; it is easier when everyone is doing it and the 'breaking of the fast' at sunset is a very special time.

Salma McLeod
I am fasting and find the day very long this year but I totaly agree with what Nazneen has to say. It is part of our religion and it does teach self disceplin and restraint.

Hello
Yes i'm fasting for Ramadan and it's accually quite easy when you are busy with something...because than the time goes quike.

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