As we embark upon the holy month of Ramadan, spare a thought for the one dedicated woman who has been fasting three whole months annually and three days every week for the past 20 years.

Mariam Badat, now aged 59, originally from Mozambique but now living in Blackburn says she started her passion for fasting from dawn till dusk when she was 13.

Fasting as many readers will be aware involves abstinence from eating and drinking in efforts to be more spiritual and to empathise with those worse off.

As with most Muslims, Ramadan brought the whole family together and it had a profound effect on her at an impressionable age.

There is no compulsion beyond Ramadan to fast, but for Mariam she has found the process enlightening, spiritually uplifting and conducive towards her aspirations to please her creator, Allah, as she explained.

“I first started doing the three holy months of Muharrum, Sha’baan and Ramadan from a young age. It just grew from there, I fast three days every week. I thoroughly enjoy fasting” she says.

“I’m not tempted to eat during the day. Apart from the first couple of days the body just gets used to it and it’s just part of my life now”.

Married with one son aged 35, Mariam wishes to see him married and for the 3 of them to perform Hajj together, a pilgrimage to the city of Makah in Saudi Arabia So what advice does she give to the rest of us who aren’t as strong? Mariam adds “The main thing is not to worry. As the days pass it gets better. Think of the benefits and rewards from fasting”

In terms of food, she sticks to a basic small diet of fruit, rice and vegetables mainly. “Drinking lots of water in between the fasts is very important” she says.

This year promises to be the longest days for UK residents and as most Muslims will be faced with fasts of up to 20 hours, it remains imperative that Mariam’s practices work well for her. As to whether us more feeble souls can follow in the same vein beyond Ramadan is another matter.

“The biggest enemy for all I suspect is not a lack of food but time as the clock ticks away each passing day and takes far more importance.” Mariam concludes the key is to ignore time and just live life as you would normally. “All else should fall into place.”

It often does, though the many Muslims approaching Ramadan in the preceding days with trepidation is a common annual occurrence.