Today, we profile the experience of Muslim ambulance volunteers who are observing Ramadan. Our colleagues at North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) spoke to Ambreen Nawaz, who is a Community Ambassador in Stockton on Tees.
Ambreen explains that Ramadan is about much more than fasting:
It’s about charity, extra prayers, keeping away from bad habits and being good. I focus more on doing charitable deeds. I prepare for my bad habits to be gone and to create happiness and good things that Allah will be happy with.
She is happy to continue volunteering during Ramadan:
It will not affect me as much as I attend events which are organised, and I am lucky at the moment I do not have one but if I do, I will attend the event as normal as we carry doing our normal activities whilst also fasting.
The inital two or three days are hard, then you get used to fasting. You also keep yourself busy with praying, reading Quran doing your usual daily activities – but not looking at the time – and if you feel tired you simply have a short nap or rest.
Finally, she reflects on the imminent arrival of Eid:
Fasting is very important to each Muslim. At the end of Ramadan Muslims celebrate Eid… You never know who will be here next year to witness Ramadan, so I always consider this may be my final chance to show Allah what I can do and achieve in Ramadan.
It also brings Muslims closer. Each person has their own goal and someone will benefit something from this month, for the rest of their life. I pray all those who are fasting; may Allah accept all your fasts this holy month.
We would like to thank Ambreen for sharing her experience, and to all of our Muslim volunteers who continue to support our services and patients during Ramadan.
