16On 24 September 2006, Ramadan began. I really suffered during the month – the hunger, the thirst and the people.
Since I was Muslim as far as my family was concerned, I had to fast. And because I was willing to perform any ritual that might bring me close to God, even if I didn’t know what religion I was, I had to fast. I envied the Muslims their ability to tolerate the hunger and thirst. It’s admirable. But for me it was impossible. I managed to fast five hours the first day, six hours the second day and eight hours the third day. Then I fasted the whole of the fourth day. I jumped for joy when I heard the call to prayer at sunset from the local mosques and on the telephone – ‘Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar’ – marking the end of the fast for the day.
After iftar on the first day I fell fa
