'Fasting puts us out of our comfort zones'

Emergency workers who are observing Ramadan this month have spoken of the challenges of balancing up to 30 days of fasting with meeting the demands of their jobs.

Ramadan began 10 to 12 days earlier this year, on Friday evening in the UK, because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the 365 days of the Gregorian calendar year.

During the month, Muslims will not eat or drink between dawn and sunset to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God.

Emma Ward, a firefighter for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, said her job involved training in the gym every day, and then carrying heavy equipment.

She said: "Something takes over during Ramadan, it doesn't feel like you're starving all day."

Ms Ward, who has been a firefighter for nine years, said she converted to Islam three years ago and that fasting for the first time was "surprisingly easy" for her - despite the strenuous job.

She said she tried to take her leave during Ramadan, but otherwise made sure to get up to eat and stay hydrated before sunrise.

During daylight hours she craved fruit and cereal - as well as her morning coffee.

She said it "really makes you appreciate how little food that you need" and said it made her feel better after the first few days, giving her more energy and focus.

Gulshan Ditta has been a police officer with North Yorkshire Police for five years.

Ms Ditta admitted fasting was "difficult and a challenge", saying: "But the whole purpose of Ramadan is to take you out of your comfort zone so you can emphasise with the hardships that people go through and it makes you more reflective."

She said her role was demanding and sometimes she had to break her fast a little later than planned, which could take a physical toll.

She said she missed samosas the most during fasting.

Zain Kazmi is an Accident and Emergency operational team leader for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, based in Bradford.

He said: "It [fasting] can be quite challenging but it depends on the shifts."

During night shifts he can sleep during the day and eat during the night.

The 31-year-old has been fasting since he was 16 and said: "It's a test of our patience, how we reflect and deal with situations when we are outside our comfort zone.

"For me the best part of fasting would be when the time comes to open your fast, when we break fast for Iftar, that's the time I really appreciate that I have access to clean water and food."

• What are Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan and how do Muslims mark them?