Tina Rahimi, Massilia Aili, Sophia Chowdhury: A day in the life of three Australian Muslim women during Ramadan | Exclusive

Ramadan is a special time for Muslims around the world, with followers taking the time to reflect and connect with their communities – and most importantly, God.

During the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from drinking food and beverages, including water.

Building discipline around the most basic necessities like food and water can help those practicing ground themselves and remind them of the importance of the things we all take for granted.

Watch the video above

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In many countries, the practice is built into society and it is facilitated with special holidays given or events being held.

But living in the West and other countries where it is not predominantly observed, the practice looks a little bit different.

Three Aussie Muslim women – 9News reporter Massilia Aili, content creator Sophia Chowdhury and Olympian Tina Rahimi – are delving into how their typical day looks during Ramadan.

Their daily Ramadan routine

Massilia Aili, 9News Reporter

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“I’m usually already up super early because my shift starts early, so I will have breakfast, a coffee (to get me through the morning) and lots of water. Then I usually finish work about six, head home and help with cooking/preparing iftar (dinner when we break our fast).

“After we eat, if I’m working the next day I usually just wind down before going to sleep early. If I’m not I’ll … catch up with family and friends, sometimes we go to the nighttime prayers or we go out for dessert/coffees.”

Sophia Chowdhury, Marketer, Stylist and Content Creator

“Usually, it involves prepping meals for suhoor and iftar, keeping hydrated, reading and organising my workflow, and spending quality time with my family.”

Tina Rahimi, Olympic Boxer

“Wake up for suhoor (before dawn meal) and have breakfast before I need to stop eating. I pray then I usually go back to sleep then get up to go to boxing training. I train for about an hour.”

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“I have the afternoon free to rest up, read Quran, pray, listen to Islamic lectures and rest up before I need to prepare food myself or help my mum prepare food for iftar!”

Their favourite iftar food

Massilia Aili

“I love to break my fast with a date if I can and a soup – my favourite is an Algerian one called shorba. We usually have it with Algerian style meat spring rolls.”

Sophia Chowdhury

“Besides watermelon, anything fried in a batter. There are certain snacks, like fried cauliflower and fried eggplant and my mum’s pastries, that only get made during the month which I always look forward to.”

Tina Rahimi

“By the time it’s time to break my fast, I honestly crave everything and anything but I love a good rice dish! I’m not a picky eater.

“I also love having Fatteh, which is a Lebanese dish with yoghurt, chickpeas and crunchy crispy bread. I think that’s a Ramadan must!”

What Ramadan means to them

Massilia Aili

“Ramadan is a time to slow down and reflect. Every other day and month of the year, my life is mostly consumed by work or friends and family.

“During Ramadan, I take time to reflect on myself, my faith and all the things I’m so lucky to have and all the things I could improve and appreciate more.”

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Sophia Chowdhury

“It’s a time to reflect and connect back to what is important. I think we can get so lost in work and the hustle and bustle of life that we forget to stop and pause. I love that Ramadan consciously keeps you grounded, and love seeing how self-discipline is practised among our community globally.”

Tina Rahimi

“Ramadan is the most important month of the year to me and all Muslims. It’s a time to pause and reconnect with God, whether through prayer, reading Qur’an, or just being mindful of our actions.

“I take this month as a time to reset my habits, not just in terms of food, but also how we act, what we say, and even how we think. The goal is to carry these good habits beyond Ramadan and become a better version of ourselves year-round.

“Fasting makes you appreciate what we take for granted like food, water and even time. That’s why giving back, whether through charity or helping others, is a big part of Ramadan.

Their favourite Ramadan memory

Massilia Aili

“Growing up overseas and being able to experience Ramadan where everyone around you is fasting and then feasting all at the same time is probably my favourite memory.”

READ MORE: A day in the life during Ramadan: Six Australian Muslims on their daily routine

Sophia Chowdhury

“Probably breaking fast with my family and cousins. We grew up in Australia together and it’s so nice to be able to continue the Ramadan traditions our parents started.”

Tina Rahimi

“I think my favourite Ramadan memory would have to be when my non-Muslim friends did a day of fasting with me. When I had the world championships in 2023 in India, I was the only Muslim in the team – fasting and eating alone for iftar.

“So three of my friends decided to also do a whole [day] of fasting, which meant we all broke our fast together and ate together and we could all just relate together through the whole day. It truly meant so much to me to have their support. This is a memory I’ll always appreciate.

“Last year in Ramadan, I was also in a training camp in Canberra and I also had another five non Muslim friends who fasted a day with me. These memories will stay with me forever!”

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