The Bhatti house is almost always hectic, but when Ramadan comes around each year, Hamzah Bhatti’s family takes on a slower pace of life. They replace busy schedules with family time and replace television with prayer. 

Bhatti said his mother, taught him about Islam at a young age. During those teachings, he learned that fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. 

According to Bhatti, his family sits down at the dining room table to break fast each evening, which is a much-needed change from the rest of the year.

“Having two older sisters who are also in school or working, we don’t usually have a lot of chances to get together with our busy lives,” Bhatti said. “But during Ramadan, we make an extra effort to try and get together as much as we can and celebrate the holy month together and fast and eat together.”

Bhatti explained that the time that one eats during Ramadan changes each year because Ramadan depends on the lunar cycle which usually brings the start date back two to three weeks each year. Those observing Ramadan this year can eat from 8:45 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., according to Bhatti. 

But it can be hard not to overeat.

“You just have to be aware that your eyes are bigger than your stomach and that being hungry all day can sometimes cause you to over gorge, which is not healthy,” Bhatti said. 

Bhatti said that because of the altered dining schedule, one’s sleep schedule can be completely changed.

“I personally stay up all night usually until sunrise and gorge myself with whatever is in the house and fall asleep,” Bhatti said. “My family prefers to sleep at a normal time and wake up at 4 a.m. to eat a quick breakfast, pray and sleep.” 

Despite the change in dining times, his family’s daily schedules stay about the same except for replacing movies and television with prayer and worship. 

“Every night after we have opened our fasts and eaten dinner, there is a prayer that my family usually goes to called Tarawih, which usually takes up an hour and half of every night,” Bhatti said. 

Bhatti said Ramadan has become much harder for him since he began living on his own at school. But with the support of his friends fasting with him, both Muslim and non-Muslim, Bhatti said it has become easier.

“Usually I had my parents to help me out and guide me, but now I live on my own and have to watch out for myself, and that has definitely tested me in my faith,” Bhatti said. 

Abdullah Dorgham, an alumnus who graduated in 2013, said fasting for Ramadan has become harder for him since he graduated college. 

“I would say work is a lot tougher because you do have that 9–5 and you still have to keep up and take care of what you have to at work while fasting,” Dorgham said. “I would say it’s a lot harder because there are faster days, there is a lot more to do and a lot less breaks.” 

Dorgham also described the personal impact which Ramadan has had on him. 

“To me, it’s a spiritual cleansing,” Dorgham said. “It’s the time of year where you get back to your spiritual self that you have always kind of wanted and you really focus on the important things in yourself, and it gives you a sense of perspective. It’s a yearly thing, so every year you kind of go back, you get back to that same spot you always want to be, and you learn to build good habits for yourself.”

According to Bhatti, Ramadan has also changed for him in a spiritual sense over the years.

“With age, my understanding of Ramadan has immensely grown and my connection with God grows alongside with my understanding,” Bhatti said. 

Dorgham also described how Ramadan has helped him see things differently. 

“It puts things in perspective when you are missing the basic needs,” Dorgham said. “It kind of gets you to complain less and think more about what is important.”

Bhatti said he is looking forward to celebrating Eid al-Fitr with his family, which is the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

“It’s kind of like our Christmas,” Bhatti said. “Like I said earlier, my family and I are pretty spread apart, but we all make an effort to get together on this holiday and celebrate it together with extended family, doing whatever brings us closer.”