RAMADHAN DIARY: A blessed month (From Asian Image)

RAMADHAN DIARY: A blessed month

1:00am Saturday 11th August 2012 in North of England news By Sadiq Khan, Member of Parliament

Like every Muslim, the holy month of Ramadhan is really important to me. Whatever happens in my professional life – as an MP, from making a big speech to being on TV, the holy month allows me to remember my priorities.

Observing Ramadhan does require some lifestyle changes – I often stay awake between the end of late night prayers (taraweeh) and the meal before dawn (sehri), which affects my sleep pattern.

Many friends find the hunger and thirst difficult, but it is the loss of sleep which I find hardest. I regularly exercise throughout the year, but cut down on during Ramadhan so not to lose too much fluid.

But Ramadhan is not a curse – it is a blessing; I get to share more meals with my family than I normally do as an MP, grow closer to my faith, and this is reflected in my prayers.”