1/ Just received an unsolicited handwritten letter sent to our home addressed to “Mr. Ameenuddin”

It apologized that this wasn’t a face to face meeting & proceeded to proselytize.

I live in a city w a sizeable, visible Muslim population where many don’t even know it’s #Ramadan

2/ I’m sharing this because it is in fact the midpoint of Ramadan when able, observant Muslims without a health concession are fasting & completing extra acts of faith,

but I realized from years of working within this system that most people don’t know what that involves.

3/ Fasting actually begins well before sunrise.

We get up (bare minimum) around 3:30 AM to eat,

*much* earlier if we are:
-Praying Tahajjud
-Actually preparing our predawn meal

We must FINISH all eating & drinking by around 4 AM
(days get longer as the month progresses)

4/ So in MN, Ramadan started with us fasting from around
4:45 AM through 8 PM
(that’s 15 hours without food or water)

but by the end of the month,
it will be
3:50 AM to 8:40 PM
(almost 17 hours)

5/ Hence the concessions for Muslims who are:

- Sick
- Elderly
- Pregnant
- On a journey
- Otherwise unable to fast (detailed elsewhere, but you get the idea)

Fasting is not intended to be a hardship, but it is intended to train, focus & purify for those who are able.

6/ For most Muslims in the US & ariund the world,

this means continuing to work our normal daily jobs while also fasting & completing extra voluntary duties specific to Ramadan or thungs that can be done at any time, but that mean that much more during Ramadan.

7/ Some of us who are fortunate enough to have vacation benefits may take off time during or after Ramadan,

both to observe & celebrate,

but most don’t/can’t take off the entire month, so we find ways to make it work to balance both our daily work & critical religious duties.

8/ The first few days can be a challenge, but our remarkable bodies (& dare I say spirits) adapt pretty remarkably.

It’s easier for some than others

For me, not eating hasn’t been an issue & I try to intentionally prehydrate, but the accumulated sleep deprivation hits me harder

9/ Some who are able will request night shifts.

One Ramadan, I was night senior on the peds inpatient service-not by choice. It just happened.

It felt strange. Nothing wrong with working/eating at nt

I just like fasting during the day bc it feels good.

https://twitter.com/sftydc/status/1259264341611855878?s=21 https://twitter.com/sftydc/status/1259264341611855878

10/ I learned when Ramadan was in July-August (very long fasting days & very short nts)

that I could manage sleep deprivation with some planning & creativity

I share this for those of you w Muslim coworkers who may mysteriously disappear during lunch hour to build understanding

11/ Instead of joining you for lunch
(even via Zoom in these days of #SocialDistancing),

your fasting Muslim colleague might take that lunch hour to take a nap.


Trust me, she needs it, so please be kind

It allows her to function at her best for patients who need her.

12/ Your Muslim colleague is getting in strategic naps during the day to allow her to

do her job just as she always does.

Some Muslims are exceptionally productive professionally & otherwise during Ramadan.

Some work normally. Some slow down. Some just survive.

Not monolithic

13/ Ramadan isn’t a one size fits all for Muslims.

Some of us will be more or less able to do normal work & extra Ramadan observations.

Most of us work to find some healthy balance & adjust each day/night as able,

but here are some of the extras your friend/coworker might do:

14/

-Basic Ramadan fasting
-Extra communal (now home) prayers called Taraweh, during which the *entire* Quran will be recited during the month
-Extra Qiyam (standing) prayers in the middle of the nt
-Tahajjud prayers (early AM) before AM meal

This means ~0-5 hours of sleep/nt

15/ OMG, I forgot reading Quran!

That is a major focus during Ramadan in addition to the fasting & extra prayers.

For me, it’s usually 0-2 hours of sleep/nt plus a full work day. We’re now two full weeks into Ramadan.

I cherish my Ramadan times & the window of opportunity.

16/ I would obvi like to do more.

As Muslims are told, “our bodies have a right upon us.”

Even sleeping with the intention of gaining energy to do more during Ramadan (working, fasting, praying, reading Quran) can be considered part of worship.

We up our game, but still human.

17/ Another VERY important part of Ramadan fasting involves practicing:

-Patience
-Good behavior
-Refraining from complaining, backbiting
-Controlling anger
-Kindness
and especially
CHARITY, not just monetarily, but through good works for others.

18/ I won’t pretend I’m able to do this all 100%,

but every year we are alive & able to observe Ramadan,
this is what we have in mind.

We hope to do a bit more each year to set a new standard for the rest of the year & whatever future years we have left.

Act like it’s our last

19/19 I hope this helps everyone understand that there is a lot more to Ramadan both spiritually & practically than just skipping lunch.

It’s a beautiful time

We miss it so much when it’s over, truly

We all have our faves
Ask me anything
TY
Here’s mine:
https://twitter.com/namd4kids/status/1134723701662986240?s=21 https://twitter.com/namd4kids/status/1134723701662986240