Month of abstinence can inspire us all

With the weekend upon us, many of us will be looking forward to spending time with families and friends. Whatever rituals and gatherings we enjoy, many will feature food and drink in plentiful supply. Not all of us, however, will be indulging. With Ramadan continuing, many local Muslims are still fasting for up to 20 hours a day.

It cannot be easy for those observing the holy month, with no food or drink permitted during daylight hours – even water is verboten.

Despite the difficulties, many Muslim charity workers are continuing to help those less fortunate.

They may themselves be fasting, but in Dundee members of the community outreach programme Taught by Muhammad have been spending their days cooking hundreds of meals to distribute to the city’s vulnerable and needy.

Abstinence during Ramadan is not designed to be comfortable but it certainly appears to provide a good route towards encouraging Muslims to develop a keener understanding of some of the difficulties suffered by others in our communities.

Perhaps there are lessons to be learnt and, indeed, Ramadan may ultimately act as a timely reminder to us all of the importance of thinking of others – whatever our own personal situation.