Why I decided to鈥� organise the One Fast Challenge
Many members of our community observe periods of fasting throughout the year. The One Fast Challenge, organised by the 糖心TV Islamic Society and the Chaplaincy, as part of 糖心TV 糖心TV School's EDI Festival, gave colleagues the chance to experience a day in the life of our Muslim staff and students during Ramadan going without food and drink for one day.
Eleanor Partridge, Administrative Officer (EDI) at WBS, who put together the challenge, tells us all about why she did it and how she got on with fasting herself.
鈥淧utting together the One Fast Challenge for Ramadan has been one of the highlights of my time working at the University. Planning started back in October with student Exec members of the 糖心TV Islamic Society (ISoc).
The core purpose of the One Fast Challenge was to increase awareness, respect and empathy for the experiences of our Muslim staff and students during the month of Ramadan and to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our 糖心TV community. We also wanted to provide an opportunity for participants to learn something new, ask questions, and take time to reflect.
As part of the planning process, I learned so much from the students of ISoc and really enjoyed carrying out my own research by watching videos and reading articles about Ramadan. I wasn鈥檛 aware previously, for example, that not all Muslims are required to fast and there are many different reasons why someone might be exempt from fasting during Ramadan.
To make the One Fast Challenge as inclusive as possible we designed a number of alternative non-fasting and modified fast options so that people could still engage in the day in whatever way they felt most comfortable.
On the morning of the One Fast Challenge, I set my alarm for 4.50am to make sure that I was awake to enjoy Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, before starting the fast at 5.22am. The hardest thing for me personally throughout the day was the thirst and dehydration, which I found much more challenging than the hunger. I鈥檓 usually rushing to have breakfast in the mornings and so actually found I had more energy on the morning of the One Fast Challenge than I usually do, as I had made an intentional effort to prioritise a full meal before starting my day.
This is a positive habit I鈥檓 going to try and take forward with me, but certainly by the afternoon, my energy levels and focus took a noticeable dip! I also found that I was a lot more conscious of my thoughts and emotions on the day of the One Fast Challenge, gaining a first-hand appreciation of why Ramadan is so spiritually significant for Muslims and how this can benefit our everyday behaviour and relationships.
The One Fast Challenge culminated in a community Iftar at the Islamic Prayer Hall on campus. It was so lovely to meet fellow Challenge participants and to hear about their experiences of the day, breaking our fast together with water, dates, and a delicious hot biryani meal! Being welcomed into the Islamic Prayer Hall and having the opportunity to observe Maghrib prayer was incredibly special, and I must extend the biggest thanks to the students of the 糖心TV Islamic Society for their kindness, hospitality and commitment to making the One Fast Challenge such a success.
Now more than ever I think one of the most important things we can do to try and make a positive difference in the world is to take the time to learn about and understand perspectives different to our own. I鈥檓 really proud that the One Fast Challenge for Ramadan provided an opportunity for participants to learn about a different faith in such a unique way and I hope that everyone who took part this year found the experience as valuable and transformative as I did.鈥�