Waterford's Islamic community explain Ramadan

On one of the final nights of Ramadan last week, there were almost 30 nationalities present at Al Munir Islamic Centre in Waterford City.

The group came together for prayer and to break their fast, honouring the Ramadan tradition of fasting from sunrise to sunset for one month, a practice observed annually by the Islamic community.

In Waterford, over 120 people attend the local mosque to break their fast every evening, where homemade food and community await them following a day of self-discipline.

The Waterford News & Star attended the breaking of fast last week, alongside special guests on the evening Cllr John Hearne, Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Joe Kelly and Garda David Browne.

Imam Rashid Munir of the Al Munir Islamic Centre said that volunteers at the mosque had been hard at work prior to the ceremony making food for the group.

“A lot of people like to volunteer, and different people from different countries all come together, it’s a good way to integrate with the community and with different races and we like to also invite non-muslims."

“It's difficult cooking for 120 people on a daily basis, especially with all our brothers and sisters fasting. While we fast we are hungry, thirsty, tired, especially now as we approach the end of Ramadan, and everyone starts to feel a little low. But still they work hard. This is the essence of Ramadan, it gives us all more strength."

A recent convert to Islam is Waterford local Jonah Schild, who moved to the Déise from South Africa a number of years ago.

Jonah said that his interest in the act of fasting is what initially led him to Islam.

“I actually came into Islam through Ramadan. I was looking for a way to do extended fast, because intermittent fasting has become a big thing recently, and there’s many different modalities for it.

“It just so happened that I noticed Ramadan was coming up soon, so I decided to go for it and dive into the experience.

“I wasn’t necessarily looking for any kind of religion at the time, I was actually quite opposed to it, but the experience was really profound. Sacrificing food and water, you really see what you’re made of as a person, and it makes you come face to face with your limitations as an individual.

“A number of years ago I went to the mosque for the first time, did the prayers for the first time, and it’s just been the most beautiful rollercoaster since. There's been ups and down of course, big challenges, big culture shocks, but that’s part of the beauty.” 

Jonah added that the Islamic community has become a vitally important part of his life.

“When I landed in Waterford I didn’t know anyone at all, and then on Google Maps I saw there was a mosque and now I see all these people every day, when I’m at my best I see them five times a day. So it’s a great way to check-in, and you feel this constant connection and communion.” 

Imam Rashid and the Islamic community have been working to strengthen bonds with the wider community of Waterford.

Speaking on the night, special guest Cllr John Hearne said this work has been an important way of welcoming new cultures to Waterford: "When I was an immigrant in Australia, Holland and England, being welcomed to a new land was very important, and that’s what we’re trying to do."

Metropolitan Mayor Joe Kelly added: “Waterford is a community that thrives on diversity and Ramadan is a beautiful reminder of the richness that different cultures, beliefs and traditions bring to our collective experience.”