As the season of Ramadan draws closer, the difficulties of practising in a country where Muslims are often a minority can become more pronounced, particularly for the younger generation.
Yet for some the UK is more receptive to Ramadan than others.
Shanon Shah, a Malaysian who is currently studying for an MA at Kings College London, describes how in Australia, fasting was difficult due to a hostile reception from non-Muslims.
“My time there was soured a bit by encounters with several individuals who were very anti-Islam. It was really difficult to practise Ramadan in an environment where so many non-Muslims were not sensitive to us.”
However, since coming to the UK he has found it easier. “There’s a much more diverse and vibrant Muslim community here. However, I still find nothing beats Ramadan in Malaysia.”
For Rizwana Monir, who was born and raised in the East London suburb of Tower Hamlets, the only form of Ramadan she has ever known is that practised in the UK. Yet she still feels it would be easier in a Muslim country.
“In Pakistan everybody observes Ramadan and comes together to work for the same goals. It makes one individual’s battle easier.”
In order to stay focused, she devotes herself to studying the Qur’an and only engages with the media to “learn more about God.”
But importantly, for both of them, living in the UK has not meant Ramadan has lost its relevance, and still plays a crucial role in their spiritual lives as Muslims.
When asked what the practice meant to them personally, many younger Muslims still described it in the traditional terms of
- abstaining from sin,
- feeling empathy with the poor and
- drawing closer to God.
Yet for Shah, Ramadan is about much more than this.
Continue reading more of “Young Muslims and Ramadan”
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- Image: Muslim Village