An Inside Look at Ramadan
Image: Ichad Windhiagiri
Ramadan occurs on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar with a tradition of fasting for the four week period. My Ramadan from SBS looks at the tradition, but breaks down stereotypes beyond the A-Z of fasting.
Hosted and executive produced by Walkley Award-winning journalist and SBS presenter Sarah Malik, over five episodes the series takes a deep dive into life during Ramadan and speaks directly to Muslim communities, looking at everyday realities like waking up before the sun rises, favourite foods and how to celebrate Eid and Ramadan when you’re in mixed culture or interfaith relationships.
“This podcast aims to celebrate diversity, hybridity and the complexity of Muslim communities in Australia today,” says Malik.
Sarah Malik says the podcast is made by and for Muslims communities. Image supplied.
Full of nuanced stories, the podcast also talks about everything from the ‘hipsterfication’ of Sydney’s Lakemba Ramadan Nights food markets to the secret world of ‘the first aid room’ which is often the go-to place for Muslims in schools and workplaces to pray and break their fast.
SBS Podcast and Digital Audio Manager Caroline Gates said it was an important commission for SBS Audio. “We hope this series provides a unique insight into how the global tradition of Ramadan and Eid is experienced in modern, multicultural Australia,” Gates says.
Academic, Dr Susan Carland and former Masterchef contender Amina El Shafei are included in the series.
Dr Carland gives an insight into converting to Islam as a young woman, and fasting by herself where being an outsider and fasting was part of her spiritual journey that led to her developing her own Australian cultural family traditions around Ramadan and Eid.
“From being ‘hangry’ at work to coping with coffee addiction and what to do if you don’t fast for health reasons, I wanted to share stories from the serious to the lighthearted, to reflect that there is no ‘one’ Muslim experience – but many – that form the tapestry of our society,” says Malik. The first episode of My Ramadan is available now on the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms.
Listen to the trailer above.