Suffolk Muslims Jimas fast for the Treehouse Appeal

By Jon Wright
BBC Suffolk

The 2009 banquet raised over £2,000 for the charity 4YP

As Ramadan starts, a Muslim group in Suffolk are hoping they can get others to join in with the fasting to raise money for the Treehouse Appeal.

From sunrise on Wednesday, 11 August, Muslims will be refraining from eating or drinking until dusk each day.

Ipswich charity Jimas is donating £10 for every non-Muslim who fasts for the day on 25 August.

There will be a special meal for people taking part in the Ipswich Corn Exchange in the evening.

"It's quite laid back and relaxed, people can fast in anyway they choose, a bit like lent for Christians," said Manwar Ali, chief executive of Jimas.

"They can give up anything for the day, like not smoke or eating sweets or swearing.

"Last year we raised just over £2,000 this year our target is £3,000."

An early start

Salma Choudhury is a Jimas member and told BBC Radio Suffolk about a typical day fasting.

"I wake up around 2 o'clock and have a bit of a snack, and then as dawn approaches, I'll stop eating and probably go back to bed to be honest.

"Then I'll wake up and go to work.

"You should act in the normal way and be professional, the only difference is you are not eating or drinking.

"I am going to be thirsty and hungry, but that's part of the process for detoxifying your body and your mind.

"At dusk you all sit together and maybe start with a little bit of fruit or some dates, then you can go off to prayers thinking 'lovely, I've had water, I've had a bit to eat', then you are rejuvenated and you can have a proper meal to eat."

Bringing the community together

Salma (far right) and other Jimas members at the Ipswich Hospital abseil

"It's good for your mind to realise that we are all made of the same material, it brings the rich and poor together, so it's an equality thing.

"It brings Muslims together in a number of ways, firstly the congregational prayer in the evening we do together, so you see everybody a lot more.

"And we eat and break fast together, as a family as a community.

"But we are also a lot closer to our non-Muslim friends because we try and be nicer, lessen your anger.

"Actually, because you are not eating or drinking, you are thinking of other things and being a little more humble towards each other."