Episode Details

Title: Ramadhan: How fasting meets modern life Synopsis: Ramadhan is more than hunger and thirst. It is a deliberate pause in a world that rarely slows down. In this episode of Pathway to Peace, host Hafia Khan is joined by Dr Annemarie Ionesco and counsellor Aliya Sami to explore how fasting reshapes the brain, disciplines the heart, and challenges the habits that quietly shape our lives. From the neuroscience of self-control to the emotional realities of parenting, work, and modern pressures, the discussion centres around Ramadhan and how it is lived and practised. The panel examine why some days feel heavy, how restraint strengthens the prefrontal cortex, why community matters, and how overcomplicating food and social expectations can dilute the essence of the month. Drawing on the Holy Qur’an, the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the teachings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how fasting meets modern life and how it can still transform it. Presenters: Hafia Khan, Dr Annemarie Ionesco and Aliya Sami