What Is Ramadan Like For Brothers Detained...

Lonely, isolated, unable to pray in congregation

* Detainee P

Ramadan is very difficult - especially when you don't have your freedom. You are restricted in your home and cannot go to the mosque to worship.

Your social life is destroyed and you cannot invite friends in. Spiritually, you are not well. All these rules and control orders are a war against Islam. This is discrimination. We fled from our country - from a dictator's regime to a so-called democratic country. We're in Britain - the 'Big Democracy' - we did not find it. We are still searching for it.

It doesn’t feel like Ramadan and Eid in prison. It is not a celebration. You are totally isolated – you suffer in another world. It feels strange and is very difficult.

Ramadan is a special time of celebration with family, friends and attending the mosque. In prison, you are on your own in your cell, breaking your fast with food you cannot even taste. It is served at the usual prison time and when you break your fast, the food is cold. Everyone is very low in spirits at this time.

I am now released from prison but am held under strict bail conditions. I am only allowed out of my home for 3 hours a day. I can’t attend a mosque for night prayers in this special month.

Ramadan is a time for repentance and reward - a time to help each other.

- Please donate to Muslims held in prison at Ramadan and Eid. They can buy dates and special food which they will share with Muslim prisoners who are not known to anyone.

* MK - recently deported to France

I spent Ramadan and Eid in Woodhill but not in Long Lartin. So I spent it as a prisoner and not as a detainee. As they give meals at 4 or 5pm the prison gave us thermos to keep the food warm until the appropriate hour. We could associate in the "room" of one of us to share the meal. However they always refuse us to have a special room for Ramadan prayers.

* Makeen

I don’t really know what to say or explaining about how I will be feeling when Ramadan comes – inshallah. There are no words to use. This Ramadan reminds me that a lot of things happened to me last Ramadan as I was arrested then and sent to prison. When I was released I didn’t realize it was Eid al Adha and was still fasting three days later until I saw the Hadj on a TV in a shop window!

I feel crazy about all the brothers who are still in prison and other brothers and sisters who are in prisons everywhere in the world. I think about all of them when I break my fast. I think about how it is for them and what they may have to eat. I am really sad because I am not able to attend the mosque to do my prayer or even mix with the brothers. I will be feeling sad without my family. My last word to say – I hope and pray for all the brothers and sisters to be free soon – Ameen.

* Wife of British detainee, Anonymous

Life's a lot harder now.. we used to pray together, eat together, wake up together.. Now it's like only half the families waking up. I wake up alone at sehri time.. the girls are too young to fast anyway. It's sad.. I miss the days he was waking up with me.

Source: Cageprisoners