The first sighting of crescent moon marked the beginning of the most important month of the Islamic year - Ramadan.

Over many years I have come to recognise that Ramadan is difficult; it is supposed to be, but as with any test, anticipation is always worse than reality.

It is a demanding time, however, when it ends, there is a sense of loss.

So much of modern life is driven by the desire to reach our targets that we forget life's journey.

Ramadan forces us to slow down and embrace each moment at a reduced pace, absorbing the finer details of life and the world around us.

Throughout the month, observers generally take two meals, the first Iftar when, just after sunset, the fast is broken, often with families coming together and sharing.

The second meal, Suhur is normally taken just before the fast resumes at dawn.

Not everybody is expected to fast. Young children, seniors, pregnant women, diabetics and others with medical needs are discouraged.

With Ramadan now coming in the hottest months of the year, religious bodies are likely to advise workers that it is acceptable to break the fast if they needed to.

When the fast ends, it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Eid Al Fitr. Gifts are exchanged, friends and family gather to pray and share meals.

For many non-Muslims, Ramadan is a mystery and seems daunting, few can understand why any one would choose to fast from sunrise to sunset for a month.

During Ramadan, we are expected to stand back and re-evaluate our lives, take control our desires and instincts to conquer them.

Muslims are expected to abstain from food, drink and other pleasures from dawn to dusk. It becomes a time of worship and contemplation, prayer, spirituality and charity, with less focus on the concerns of their everyday lives.

Some use sleep to "escape" the hardship of the fast, by focusing on and experiencing hunger and thirst, albeit just for a few hours, we will learn something of the daily hardships of the lives of the world's poor for whom it is a daily routine.

Through re-examining how we lead our lives, we can learn more about ourselves and our relationships - with people, our society and our environment.

With a deeper insight and understanding, we can leave our mundane, often complex lives behind.

Whilst Ramadan is an Islamic event, in a country such as Bahrain, renowned for religious freedom and tolerance towards all members of the multi-cultural society, it should be seen as a time of reflection for all, irrespective of religion.

Non-Muslims could invite a Muslim family to share Iftar. They will be delighted to guide and help prepare the meal.

Reaching out to a Muslim family during Ramadan helps strengthen our multi-faith community and allows us all to experience the true meaning of Ramadan.