Share Ramadan fast with Muslim friends

SHARE Ramadan co-founders Hushiyar Ali (left) and Kabir Ahmed

OLDHAM'S Muslims are once again inviting the borough ­- and the rest of the world ­- to fast with them during Ramadan.

Now in its third year, Share Ramadan started in Oldham and is now a global phenomenon, thanks to the power of social media, with people using the hashtag #shareramadan.

The idea is aimed at bringing Muslims and non-Muslims together during the month of Ramadan, which started on Monday.

Share Ramadan works in three simple steps: a Muslim challenges his work colleague, neighbour or friend of another faith or no faith to fast for one day.

They then come and break the fast in the house of the person who challenged them and upload a picture or video onto social media using #shareramadan and nominate five others to do the same.

The idea has gained momentum and last year thousands of people participated all over the world, from the USA to Malaysia.

Hundreds of video diaries and pictures were uploaded onto social media, with half a million video views on social media collectively.

Kabir Ahmed, one of the founders of Share Ramadan, who teaches at a Stockport school, said: "It makes us feel good. We feel we're able to portray the right message of what Islam and Ramadan are about, rather than the negative portrayal by the media.

"Social media has allowed that to happen - the values of spirituality, engagement, giving and sharing are true human values. People can relate to that regardless of religion."

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims believe the Quran was revealed.

All healthy Muslims are required to abstain from taking any food or drink between dawn and sunset as part of their religious practices. Fasting is seen as a way to bring participants closer to God and remind them of those less fortunate.

This year, the fast in the UK is expected to last up to 19 hours per day - the longest Ramadan fast in 33 years - because the holy month coincides with the longest daylight hours.

After Ramadan ends, Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival of the breaking of the fast.

To join the campaign visit facebook.com/shareramadan or follow on Twitter at @ShareRamadan, using #shareramadan.