With eight years of experience as a cabin crew member, Amira Rahmat is well-acquainted with the demands of long flights and crossing multiple time zones. However, as a 32-year-old Muslim from Singapore, she faces unique challenges during Ramadan, especially when it comes to fasting while working odd hours in various foreign cities.

"I've been fasting since I was young, but working in the service industry makes it quite different, particularly when fasting hours can extend up to 17 hours on certain routes," Amira shared in a recent interview with AsiaOne. The lengthy fasting periods can make interacting with hundreds of passengers quite exhausting.

"Even though I feel thirsty and hungry, I remind myself to be patient because this is my job," she emphasized, noting that fasting does not excuse poor service.

Another challenge is managing the time zones for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. "It can be tricky because sometimes I'm unsure which time zone to follow," she explained. Over the years, however, Amira has learned to adapt to observing Ramadan while traveling, often seeking advice from her Muslim colleagues and seniors about when to break her fast.

She sees her work during Ramadan as a privilege, stating, "When I have layovers overseas, I look forward to visiting local mosques and connecting with other communities that are also observing Ramadan."

Ramadan Abroad

During her travels, one of Amira's rituals is to find the largest mosque in the area to break her fast. A particularly memorable experience was visiting a mosque in a small town in China, which resembled a temple but featured Arabic scriptures. "It was majestic—something I don't encounter every day," she recalled.

While breaking her fast with locals there, who welcomed her with open arms, Amira enjoyed a variety of traditional dishes, including mutton soup and barley soup. She expressed how mesmerized she was by the architecture and culture, capturing the moments to share with her family and friends on social media.

As a food enthusiast, Amira relishes trying local cuisines during Ramadan. For instance, she enjoyed Somali food for the first time at a mosque in Helsinki and savored camel burgers at a Ramadan bazaar in Sydney. She also values the friendships she forms with Muslims from around the world, even in non-Muslim countries.

Recalling her experience in Helsinki, Amira made a friend at a mosque, who kindly invited her to her home and offered to show her around, which she found very sweet.

In addition to her role as an air stewardess, Amira actively shares her Ramadan experiences on social media, engaging with her over 84,000 Instagram followers and more than 55,000 TikTok followers.

Overcoming Loneliness

Although Amira now has mostly positive experiences during Ramadan abroad, her journey began with challenges, particularly fasting while working and celebrating holidays alone. In her first year as a cabin crew member, she spent Hari Raya Puasa alone during a layover in Japan.

"I felt sad and lonely, especially since it was my first year, and I wasn't prepared to miss out on important occasions," she shared, noting that all her colleagues were non-Malay. Despite this, she found comfort in the support of her colleagues, who tried to celebrate the holiday with her.

Amira's positive mindset has helped her navigate these challenges. "I've learned that every experience is a blessing. Once I frame it that way, it becomes easier to fast while working," she said.

For fellow Muslims celebrating Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa away from home, Amira advises preparation, both physically and mentally. She suggests packing "emergency meals" like biscuits, oats, and dates for iftar, as well as staying connected with loved ones to avoid feelings of loneliness.

"Feeling connected makes a difference," she noted, adding that a simple call from a loved one can provide motivation. "Also, be compassionate with yourself; it can be tough, so be gentle with yourself," she advised.

Amira encourages travelers to visit local mosques, emphasizing the unique experiences that come with observing Ramadan in different cultures. "You meet people from various countries, and while their customs may differ, the essence of Ramadan remains the same," she concluded.