Very hectic holy month for Lancashire's Muslims

This means thousands of people in the county are fasting between the hours of sunrise and sunset, which is about 16 hours a day.

We spoke to busy professionals to see how they juggle work life with the demands of Ramadhan.

>> POLICE OFFICERS

PC Ayub Mal has been a police officer with Lancashire Constabulary for six years.

He said: “From the moment I started working for them, I found them to be very accommodating towards my religious needs including fasting during Ramadhan.

“My sergeants have all been very helpful, allocating me time to eat at Sehri and Iftari time, usually allowing to me to attend the local mosque.

"When I work nights I have been able to change my shifts allowing me to read my Taraweeh (late prayers).

"Unfortunately due to the nature of the job there are no guarantees, sometimes its not always possible to eat after Iftari or at Sehri.”

Sergeant Abid Khan who joined Lancashire Police 13 years ago said: “Fasting and being on duty used to be a lot tougher but things have changed dramatically over the past few years.

“There is now a greater understanding of Ramadhan and what it entails with supervisory officers having an increased awareness of the needs of Muslim officers who are fasting. This has not always been the case but recently non-Muslim officers have reminded me that it was close to Iftari or Sehri time.

“I’m not sure this would have happened in the past.”

>> HOSPITAL DOCTOR

For someone in Dr Ahmed Shihadah’s position, there really are times when the month of Ramadhan tests him.

He said: “Fasting when one is working in a stressful role is difficult but it is one of the pillars of Islam and so there is no compromise. As long as you are capable of performing the task at hand then you should continue.

“In my earlier years I worked on the night shift in accident and emergency where you never knew what the next few minutes held.

"If I was the only doctor on call, which many times I was, I would continue treating the patients and before you knew it Sehri time had passed.”

Dr Shihadah now works during the day as a staff grade physician in the medical department.

“Now I tend to find the first few days difficult.

"But the real challenge is how you continue to fast even when those around you do not. In Palestine everyone fasts and this I found to be an encouraging thing.”

Dr Shihadah has seen a marked change in his time at Royal Blackburn Hospital in attitudes from non-Muslim patients and staff.

“Occasionally some patients recognise it is Ramadhan and appreciate the job you are doing.

“Twenty years ago when I began working here there was little knowledge of what Ramadhan was but things have changed remarkably.

“The hospital has a dedicated quiet room and prayer room where taraweeh prayers are said.

"The hospital has ensured that the Muslim community is catered for and during Jummah prayers we get up to 60 people.”

>> FIREFIGHTER

Shahbaz Shah was settling down at home last Friday evening at 7.45pm, ready to open his fast.

But, he said: “My alerter went off and I literally had to dash off.

"We managed to get the fire under control by 8.20pm.

"Myself and a colleague then split a kujjur (date)!

“In an emergency I really have no choice – saving a life comes first.

“Normally during Ramadhan I ensure I always have something with me for Iftari.

"But as most people will understand no matter how hard you plan in this job things can change in an instant.

“As for Sehri-time, if I am on a night-shift again you have to try to foresee having to go out on an emergency.

“But I think like many people in such roles I tend to get on with it.”

“Lancashire Fire and Rescue also send a newsletter at the start of Ramadhan to staff telling them about it.

"It creates a lot more awareness and certainly does help.”

Shahbaz has been in the fire service for 18 months.

>> FOOTBALL REFEREE

Muhammed Matadar is an assistant referee in the world’s biggest football league.

He is now in his second season and began this year by officiating in Chelsea’s home game against Portsmouth.

With television dictating kick-off times, some games begin at 7.45pm.

“It is difficult but you have to get on with it,” he said.

“After running around for 90 minutes, eating is not so much an issue but drinking water is.

“Clubs offer you hospitality during Ramadhan and you politely decline.

“Most referees and even some players are aware that I am fasting.

"But it doesn’t change anything and I wouldn’t want it too.

"I don’t tend to change my routine at all and find a way around it like most people.

“If a game is held in the North of England I can make it back for Sehri (sunrise) time.

“But if I am in London I have to open my fast whilst travelling back.

Muhammed will be in the unusual position this year of opening his fast in the middle of games. Evening games begin at 7.45pm and Iftari (sunset) will fall after 8pm.

“I guess I’ll have to have a date or small sweet in my pocket to open my fast during evening games.”

>> HEADTEACHER

Mrs Zarina SeedaT is head teacher at the Islamiyah Girls’ School, Blackburn.

“When everyone else around you is panicking the headteacher, regardless of how he or she feels, must have a calming effect on people. And this is all the more difficult during Ramadhan!

“Whilst many of the pupils fast, those that are too young do not.

“It is entirely their or their parents’ choice. Those pupils that are not fasting are given a separate area where they can eat.

“The tuck shop itself remains open. We try to make those girls who don’t fast feel inclusive.

“With regards to the school day the only major change is lunch hour during which pupils tend to read the Quran.

“We also encourage the girls to partake in charity work and this year we are aiming to raise money to send food packs to Africa.

“I am a wife and a mother and Ramadhan can be quite hectic for me.

"As soon as the school day finishes I rush home to prepare for Iftari.”

>> OFFICE WORKER

Ismail Hasham, aged 24, is a policy officer for Blackburn with Darwen Council.

“In my last job when Iftari fell at around 4pm a whole group of us would bring food from home and we were given a ten-minute break to open our fast.

“It was quite a good feeling actually to be opening your fast like that and the atmosphere used to be really good.

“I think now, like most people who work nine to five, I will use my lunch break to go to the local mosque to pray.

“The council has have been quite good. It now has a prayer room and a wash room which can be used to do your wudu so sometimes I just pray here.”

>> RAMADHAN FACTFILE

Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar during which Muslims across the world fast during daylight hours.

Muslims wake up to eat before dawn which is around 4am in the morning and then will not eat or drink until sunset which is around 7.45pm.

Fasting during Ramadhan is one of the key parts of Islam but Muslims with health problems or who are pregnant are exempt.

It allows Muslims to practise self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate.

Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam.

At the end of the month Muslims will celebrate Eid, the end of Ramadhan, with family and friends.