The Extra invited Bashir Maan, president of the Glasgow Mosque, to convey what Ramadan means to him, and other followers of Islam.

RAMADAN is a month of the lunar calendar in which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

In Islam, fasting is an act of worship and one of the five fundamental obligations of a Muslim. The other four being the declaration of faith (there is no god but Allah – the One and the only God Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe; five daily prayers; obligatory and voluntary charity; and Hajj — pilgrimage to the Holy Ka'aba in Macca.)

Every Muslim is obliged to fast during the month of Ramadan. There are however, some exceptions: children who have not reached the age of puberty; menstruating, pregnant and breast-feeding women are all exempt. In addition, the aged, infirm, insane and travellers are not obliged to fast.

The month of Ramadan changes the whole course of a Muslim's life.
Fasting requires abstention from food, drink and smoking; all undesirable and evil actions, words, intentions and desires. Sexual relations also are prohibited during the fasting hours. The lunar year is about ten days shorter than the solar year. Hence, the month of Ramadan is always ten days earlier than the previous year and revolves through all seasons. In the summer months of May to August, in Scotland, fasting become very demanding as the fast extends from between 2am or 4am right through until as late as 8pm or 10pm.

Muslims consider Ramadan as the month of blessings. The good deeds of a person in these 30 days are rewarded manifold by God Almighty. Fasting teaches self-discipline, patience and fortitude. By experiencing hunger and thirst, one becomes aware of the plight of the poor who very often go hungry. This promotes the spirit of sympathy and charity towards the deprived. It is a month-long annual exercise in spiritual revival that builds and strengthens the character, willpower and adaptability of a Muslim. It prepares people to live a righteous, unselfish, compassionate and disciplined life.

Fasting also benefits the health and wellbeing of a person. It gives rest to the digestive organs and causes the body to get rid of accumulated fats and wastes, which are detrimental to health.