See what it’s like to be a Muslim working in the restaurant industry and fasting during Ramadan.
One man shares what an average day is like.
The Islamic calendar is lunar, which means each new month begins with the new astronomical moon.
This means that the exact dates of Ramadan vary, depending on where in the world you live.
This year in the U.S., Ramadan falls between April 12 and May 12.
As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting during Ramadan is absolutely necessary.
Hassan Boussouf is the general manager at Aracosia Mclean, an Afghan bistro with three locations in Virginia.
That means no food or liquid of any kind (including water) between sunrise and sunset.
Boussouf, who grew up in Morocco, started celebrating Ramadan when he was 14.
Morocco is a Muslim country, so everyone practices Ramadan, he says.
You wont see anyone at a restaurant while the sun is up during this month.
Unlike in Morocco, the majority of people in the States arent celebrating Ramadan.
Morning
Boussouf says that most people wake up around 5 a.m. during Ramadan.
That way, they can do the morning prayer and eat a meal before the sun is up.
But since he goes to bed latecommon for people working in the restaurant industryhe wakes up at 7:30 a.m.
This means the sun is already up, so his fasting time has begun.
Hassan Boussouf is the general manager at Aracosia Mclean, an Afghan bistro with three locations in Virginia.
One of the hardest parts of fasting during Ramadan for me is giving up coffee, Boussouf says.
During Ramadan, you cant have coffee, tea, or even any water at all during the day.
After Boussouf wakes up, he says the first five minutes of his day are devoted to prayer.
For Muslims, there are five different prayers.
The restaurant where he works has both indoor and outdoor dining, so its been consistently busy.
He says being surrounded by delicious food actually doesnt make fasting difficult.
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There is one other Muslim person I work with, so we take turns taking breaks, Boussouf says.
This late in the day, hunger and thirst may start to set in.
Fasting helps you understand a bit more of what they go through.
Here, a snack helps.
Its very hearty, he says.
Ill also have chicken breast kebabs.
He also has lots (and lots) of water.
Night
Boussouf says he typically works until 10:30 p.m., getting home shortly after.
Before bed, he has more water and a snack.
Its usually more dates or a banana and some nuts, he says.
Then, around 11:30 p.m., hell say his last prayer of the day and head to bed.
Fasting during Ramadan is important because it purifies your body and soul, Boussouf says.
While he says sometimes he does get hungry or thirsty, he welcomes these tests of faith.
Many people cant have three meals a dayor even two.
Fasting during Ramadan is an important reminder of how much we take for granted.
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