RAMADAN WITH

As May comes into full swing, so does the completion of the holy month of Ramadan — a time of year where healthy and able Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

That sounds long, right? It can be. In 2022, Muslims in Toronto were fasting until almost 8 p.m. But depending on the number of daylight hours across the world, the time until people fast can vary — with places like Iceland and Finland fasting around 18 hours a day.

The start of Ramadan is based on a Moon sighting: a new moon, to be precise.

And thus begins the start of the Muslim lunar calendar, and a 30day fast where Muslims focus on themselves, give to charity, dedicate time to pray and become better humans on the inside and outside.

“It’s a beautiful month,” says global educator and salon owner Reema Jaber.

Jaber, who owns Hair by Reema, is a Muslim hair extraordinaire who often balances her culture and faith with the environment of her salon.

During Ramadan, it can be a challenge to be your everyday self: she often finds herself quieter and more tiresome when she spends days in the salon during Ramadan.

“I never want my clients to feel like I’m tired even though I’m fasting,” she said. “You want to give them a five-star experience.”

In order to combat that, she feels it can be important to be transparent about her experience.

She recalls a client coming in for an appointment during Ramadan one year, and realizing Jaber wasn’t her usual self.

“She’s like, ‘Are you okay? You seem different from the last time,’” said Jaber.

“I was like, ‘You know what? I’m so sorry — I’m fasting, and I’m having a bit of a tired day, so don’t mind me if I'm a little quiet.”

That’s something Jaber never wants her clients to sense. It’s tough to keep her energy and motivation up during salon hours. But she shared that many women on her team are Muslims, who fast during the month and help her feel less alone when she’s working.

But she also revealed that some of the non-Muslims on her team have been open to fasting along with them.

“I’ve never had that before at another salon or anything like that. It’s so nice to have my team be so respectful,” she said. “I never want to push anything on anyone, but it’s something that we do and we let them know like: ‘Hey, we’re doing this and just don’t mind us if we’re more quiet or a little more tired.”

Jaber has been fasting since she’s been a teenager: a typical time for many young Muslims who take the plunge and join their families to observe the holy month.

It’s an important undertaking and just one of the five pillars of Islam, right along with your declaration of faith, prayer, charity and the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Because besides fasting, Muslims aim to restrict and maintain other areas of their lives as well. That fast does include refraining from eating, but also other things like smoking, and drinking.

Along with restricting those areas of your life, Ramadan is a time of improvement and selfawareness.

Besides not drinking alcohol or avoiding a quick smoke, it can be important to not gossip, keep your temper in check and avoid cursing or hurting another person.

“It’s something you do for God, and it’s a sacrifice that you make,” she said.