Becoming a new Muslim has led to David (not real name) making a number of adjustments in his life. 

He no longer drinks alcohol and only eats halal meat.  

He admits that he’s not ready to go public with his Arabic name. 

Moreover, he has yet to inform his family of his conversion but admits he cannot keep it a secret “for too long”. 

His main priority has been “getting through” Ramadan. 

During the Islamic holy month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. 

Pregnant or menstruating women, those on medication, the elderly and children under the age of puberty are exempt from fasting.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. 

The dates for Ramadan are verified by the sighting of the moon and move backwards by about 11 days each year in a 33-year time cycle. 

Since 2014 Muslims in the UK have faced longer fasting periods, due to a portion of Ramadan falling in the summer months. 

“During my student days in London, I shared a flat with a number of Muslims,” David recalls. “They were a diverse bunch. Some had beards and prayed regularly whilst others liked to party.

"They would all, however, strictly observe Ramadan.

“I was engrossed by their discipline and the special atmosphere Ramadan created within the local [Muslim] community. 

"Even though I wouldn’t be fasting, I would be invited to eat with them in the evenings and it was a very humbling experience.  

“It does truly make you appreciate what you have compared to others around the world, who have very little food and are having to ‘fast’ every day of their lives.”

Having moved back to Scotland in March this year, David believes his previous exposure to Ramadan “stood him in good stead”.

“When it dawned on me that I would have to fast for around 18 hours a day, yeah it was a daunting prospect,” he continued.

“But if you’re going to do something then why not just go straight in at the deep end?

“I work 9 to 5 so missing out on a lunch was not that big a deal. I just had to have a very late dinner.  I attended some pre-Ramadan courses and took a lot of advice on board.

"I’m on this journey with other new Muslims so we are all helping each other.

“If I’m being honest it has not been as difficult as I thought it would be.  After the first few days, your body gets used to the changes.  

"However, I admit I’m looking forward to having a coffee at work once Ramadan is over.” 

At the opposite end of the spectrum to David is Amjad Saleem – who in his own words is a “seasoned veteran”.

Saleem was born in Pakistan and moved to Scotland in his early twenties. 

He says observing Ramadan is “easier” in Scotland compared to the country of his birth.

“I began fasting when I was 14 or 15,” he says. “Can you imagine going without food or water especially during a Pakistani summer!

There was no air conditioning back in those days especially in the villages and there wasn’t that much food going around too.

“As a young child, my cousins and I would have to help my father and other elders, who had to work in the fields in a very hot climate whilst fasting. It was back-breaking work but you had to be strong-willed.” 

As the owner of a restaurant, Saleem was able to alter his working hours, therefore giving him an opportunity to fulfil his religious obligations “as smooth as possible.”

Whilst the option to adjust working hours around Ramadan are not available to all, some employers are known to alter shifts - upon request - for their Muslim employees. 

Furthermore, a growing trend over the years, has seen many non-Muslims fast for a day or “skip lunch” as an act of “solidarity” with their Muslim friends and colleagues.

Eid al-Fitr is a special religious holiday which will mark the end of Ramadan.

By writer and columnist Imran Azam