JUGGLING OUR DAILY LIFE WITH 18-HOUR FASTING

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Juggling our daily life with 18-hour fasting

A beat bobby's job is tiring enough spending long hours out on patrol – but it is set to get even harder for those officers celebrating Ramadan.

Pc Yusuf Nagdi is one Leicestershire police's Muslim officers, who face a tough month with very little sleep and next to no food as they try to juggle work with observing the month of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, which started yesterday and lasts for 30 days, Muslims must abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.

Pc Nagdi, a neighbourhood beat officer for the Coleman ward, is making special arrangements to ensure he stays in top crime-fighting condition throughout the period.

He said: "It is a juggling act, but one that I feel I can do well, thanks to a few changes like when I start work, and fitting in prayers during my patrols."

This year, Ramadan could be even more challenging. The dates move every year according to the lunar calendar, and this year sees fasting take place during some of the longest days of the year. Yesterday, Muslims fasted for around 19 hours.

Pc Nagdi will be starting his shifts at 10am rather than 8am to get two hours' rest. He said: "Obviously, if there was an incident that would take priority, but as long as I am not too busy, I am encouraged to pop into the local mosques in my beat, in uniform, and carry out my prayers."

Mum Salma Ravat, 39, from North Evington, said she was excited but apprehensive.

She said: "The days are very long indeed at the moment, with fasting coming up to 18 hours at times.

"Before you start, you wonder how you will be able to fast for such long hours.

"The first few days will take a bit of getting used to, but it gets easier and the whole month flies so quickly – before you know it you are celebrating Eid and wondering if you made the most of Ramadan."

Suleman Nagdi, chair of the Federation of Muslim Organisations, said: "Our radio station FMO radio on 87.7FM collects almost half a million pounds for charity during Ramadan."