For many Muslims, Ramadan arrives each year filled with childhood memories and familiar social traditions. For those who newly embrace Islam, however, the holy month can be a completely different experience.
Maryam, a Spanish revert to Islam living in Hong Kong, experienced Ramadan for the first time just months after declaring her faith on October 20, 2025. For her, the month became more than a religious obligation, it was an inner journey that reshaped her relationship with God.
Despite her enthusiasm, the approach of Ramadan initially caused anxiety. “I was worried about the water because I used to drink a lot during the day and thought I would be miserable,” she said. She was also concerned about waking early for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal that helps Muslims sustain their fast.
As the days passed, Maryam discovered that fasting transforms more than eating habits. “I’ve definitely gained discipline,” she explained. “Waking up for Suhoor was easier than I thought. During the first week some days were harder, but I found that Dhikr, reading the Qur’an, and making Du’aa helped me overcome hunger and thirst.”
Learning practices that many Muslims grow up with did not discourage her. She believes sincerity matters most, recalling that her first prayer was imperfect but offered with genuine devotion.
Shortly before Ramadan began, Maryam lost her job. Rather than seeing it negatively, she believes it allowed her to dedicate more time to worship and to her two children. Living in Hong Kong, where Ramadan does not shape daily life as it does in Muslim countries, could have felt isolating. Yet local Muslim families welcomed her and her children for iftar meals, including one family who recognized her from her Instagram account @revertmaryam.
Spiritually, the month brought powerful moments. She recalls dreaming of the name Al-Ghafur, meaning “The Most Forgiving.” Later during Ramadan she experienced a profound realization about God’s mercy. “I felt that a past sin had been forgiven,” she said.
Before embracing Islam, Maryam was a Catholic and experienced a spiritual awakening in 2023 that eventually guided her toward Islam. Ramadan has also strengthened her connection with the Qur’an, which she now reads almost daily.
Asked how she would describe Ramadan to non-Muslims, Maryam’s answer is simple: cleansing. “You realize you need less than you thought,” she said, “and that forgiveness and spiritual renewal are always possible.
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