Rima Sadhia Hussain: What Ramadan means to me

Rima Sadhia Hussain is navigating being a new working mum this Ramadan and has just returned from maternity leave to her General Practice role and also to her teaching role at Guys Hospital.

“I’m loving being back at work and really enjoy the combination of half a day in general practice, from 9am-1pm, as well as a full day of teaching at Guys. I also do occasional evening shift work for the NHS 111 emergency service.”

How do you observe the holy month?

Everyone will have a different experience of observing Ramadan, which is why it is important to speak to people individually about what support they may or may not need.

“Ramadan for me is an opportunity to develop positive Islamic practices, with a view to continuing them for the rest of the year. It is an intense month of prayer, ritual, and reflection. It’s a time to think about others, quiet the mind and improve your mindset.

I struggle to pray 5 times a day but pray as much as I can and read the Quran more. I have the Quran on my phone for easy access and am more focused on reading it through the holy month.

I find it easier to observe good Muslim practice throughout Ramadan because there is collective action.

I look forward to seeing family and friends more regularly, breaking fasts together, especially at the weekends, and enjoying the time of heightened religious practice. It’s a very rewarding time.”

Do you fast?

“I didn’t fast last year because I was pregnant and this year, I may still be breastfeeding through parts of Ramadan so I won’t fast for all of it. However, I’ll do what I can, and I can make up the fasts I miss through the rest of the year when I am able.”

Giving to charity has a strong focus through Ramadan and people can also choose to give larger charitable donations if they are unable to fast.

What challenges do you face during Ramadan?

“The biggest challenge is the sleep deprivation. This is my 2^nd Ramadan with a baby and managing sleep is difficult enough with a baby, added to that are the early starts and later evenings.

It can be very difficult at work if you’re expected to do everything and perform at 100% capacity as if you were sleeping well.”

How does your workplace support you during the holy month?

“I have always found workplaces very supportive and have not struggled to ask for a late start. I prefer to work through lunchtimes and then finish a bit earlier and this has been accommodated – no one has questioned this different approach and managers and practice owners have been very good. They just need to mindful of, and open to, different working practices.

My work environment in the general practice is a little different from Guys, in that other Muslims are observing the Holy month. Guys do publish workplace guidance and stress that employees are entitled to flexible working and employers should be able to offer you that. On a Friday they offer a late start in the afternoon; 2 pm instead of 1.30 pm, so that people can attend Friday prayers (the most important). This is the case throughout the year now, not just in Ramadan.

Colleagues are very open about Ramadan. I do feel though that people can often feel bad about eating in front of me. I’ll tend to step outside or go for a walk sometimes, so colleagues don’t feel awkward. I’d personally prefer it if people continued to do the same things they always do and not draw attention to my fasting.

I may go quieter as I conserve my energy and observe more prayer time and reflection so colleagues might notice a change of pace in me through Ramadan. They do not need to worry though. I feel very good about my faith and look forward to the peace and spirituality that Ramadan brings me.”

Many thanks to Rima for sharing her experiences of Ramadan with us.

For more information, there are several articles below.

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