I'm a Muslim AMA

[ImJUSTmeAlways]

Have some time to spare, go ahead!

How do you cope with Ramadan, especially if it falls in summer with long hot days? I don't suppose people living in Arabia in the sixth century ever factored in people who lived in higher latitudes!

Hi Alpaca- I think with Ramadan the first few days can be tough but it's surprising how used to not eating/drinking your body gets. I think it's also mind over matter and the few I did keep this year were not actually that tough!

Were you born Muslim or did you convert?

And have you ever lived in a Muslim country?

No I was born a Muslim and have always lived in Yorkshire, as were my parents.

Have you ever been on umrah or hajj?

Are you of Arab origin or Asian? I find they have very different takes on Islam!

No I haven't been yet, I'm in my 20s so I plan on going sometime in the future.

I'm Asian.

Do you find it hard to fulfill your parents expectations of you while being a young woman in Yorkshire?

Are they quite relaxed or more traditional?

Do you wear a headscarf?

Sorry I'm assuming you are female

No I don't wear a headscarf. My parents divorced when I was younger. My dad is not religious at all. My mum does follow the religion but doesn't pressure me into anything.

Friday prayers seem a male only thing, when do women go to the mosque and/or how do they learn about their faith/hear the imam?

It's not true that Friday prayers is only for males. My grandma attends Friday prayers every week unless she is ill- my grandad takes her.
Many women attend the mosque for Friday prayers at the mosque we go to, but I know at other mosques locally it's just men attend and I'm not sure why.

Did The Prophet Mohamed convert to Islam and if so what religion was he born?

Interesting! Are women and men segregated in your mosque? I made the assumption about men only judging by what I see locally.

Hopping- I've never heard that before.

Kitchen- yes they are segregated.

As a nurse, is there anything I need to be aware of regarding Muslim patients and their preferences etc.? I have always especially been unsure about fasting during Ramadan vs. encouraging good food and fluid intake, which is generally a core policy on a hospital ward. How do I balance nutritional needs with a patient's beliefs and choices?

I've also noticed that a lot of home visits that we do to predominately Muslim families, the older generation live with the children and are cared for by them. Would this be expected even if the older person needs 24 hour care; would the family still provide this support, or would live-in carers or a care home be permissible?

Fasting is not encouraged for people whom are ill. So if a person is in hospital during Ramadan they will definitely not be fasting.
Also when I have worked in a hospital setting, from experience Family members would normally explain requirements for the patient. If your unsure always ask regarding food etc such as halal but from experience the family or the patient will always say.

Regarding an older persons care at home. From experience I think families always step in and cope with the elders at home for as long as possible, I do not know anyone in my immediate family or extended family who has ever been in a care home. I don't think it's a Muslim think I think it's a cultural thing.

Hopping, I could be wrong, but I think I remember learning they at that time there was a lot of idol worshipping in and around Mecca and that region, as well as Christians and Jews.

The prophet Muhammad was always against idol worshipping. Not sure if he had religion before but I believe he converted the night he had the revelations from 'Allah' (god).

I'm not a Muslim, I just went to a Muslim school as a young child when my parents lived in Saudi Arabia ( they wanted me to go to a local school rather than the international schools)

But my memory is hazy to day the least!

Sorry imjustme to hijack!

I find it all so very interesting as it takes me back to my childhood, for which I have so many fond memories!!