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聽From Remona Aly, Freelance journalist and editor:

It鈥檚 starting again, Chris. Ramadan has come upon me and I鈥檓 about as prepared as a snowman for summer. It鈥檚 at this time, right at the start of the fasting month which begins tomorrow, that I ask myself - how am I going to get through this? But every year, Mission Ramadan is one I choose to accept, and embrace with wide arms and empty stomach.

Yes 鈥� they are long hours, and yep the question, 鈥淲hat 鈥� not even water?鈥� has been asked so many times it鈥檚 turned into a hashtag. But it鈥檚 also the month my love life is off the Richter scale, as I鈥檓 guaranteed 30 gorgeous dates all the way through. And it is love I feel when I take my first bite of the delicious little fruit at sunset, and suddenly those 18 hours of fasting melt away in my mouth in a sweet caress.

Fasting has been a special part of many religions and cultures, from Hinduism and Buddhism to Judaism and Christianity, and for Muslims it is pretty hardcore as we go nil by mouth from dawn to sundown. But it鈥檚 more than just about me gasping for a cuppa, trying not to swear, and missing lunch.

It鈥檚 not about giving up, but giving more. To myself, to others and to the big G. British Muslims give 100 million in charity in this month alone, they offer extra prayers in the night, and they become better versions of themselves 鈥� well that鈥檚 the idea anyway. 聽

Although I鈥檓 already thinking about Eid, when Ramadan finally does end, I feel a bittersweetness at the parting. It鈥檚 like bidding farewell to my closest friend at the door, who smiles at me with pride, kisses my forehead, and disappears into the night for another year.

But I know she will always come back. It鈥檚 at this point I think of the poem by the Persian Muslim poet Hafiz, 鈥淲here have you taken your sweet song? Come back and play me a tune. I never really cared for the things of this world. It was the glow of your presence that filled it with beauty.鈥�

So, amid the hunger pangs, crazy family gatherings, and mosque marathons, I鈥檓 going to hold on to that glow as long as it shines.