Let me just backtrack for a quick minute; Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, where Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, water, and other physical needs, while focusing on prayer, charity, and spiritual reflection. The month-long observance of Ramadan is a time of spiritual purification, self-discipline, and a deeper connection to one's faith.

And yes, no water.

But here's the thing, the most significant part of Ramadan isn't a lingering hunger, it is the sense of community and family that it brings with its daily Iftar gatherings and the warmth of your family's cooking. And for most of us who observe the holy month, that can be out of reach.

For four years now, I have been unable to fast in Eindhoven and aside from the obvious reason (far longer days than back home), there was always something I couldn’t figure out. So, as I set my intentions to experience a European Ramadan, through and through, I've boiled it down to some apparent challenges that can find an easy fix in understanding how others have done it.

One very noticeable difference between Ramadan in the Netherlands and in Muslim-majority countries is the length of the day. In Europe, the days are longer and the nights are shorter, making the fast more challenging. After 15+ years of experience fasting, I find myself suddenly having to adjust to the longer hours of fasting. The colder weather also gets a special shout-out. Running low on food or hot tea's makes the rain all the more wet and cold. With a little distraction in the form of trying to stay warm sans food, work hours suddenly feel twice as long. And despite it all, the single thing I find the most difficult is finding the opportunity to share the experience with other Muslims.

Ramadan is a time of great community support and solidarity. We find power in our people. The families organizing iftars for people on the streets who might not make it in time to their families to break their fast due to working hours; or the people who have no family to go home to. It’s this communal aspect of Ramadan that I found to be particularly important to me; sometimes leaving me feeling isolated or alone during the fast.

A day into this month-long experience away from home, I have gained a greater appreciation for the diversity of Muslim experiences around the world. While the experience of fasting is similar, the unique challenges and opportunities that Ramadan presents can differ significantly depending on one's location and circumstances.