Ledionnie, who prefers to be called Leo, said it all began when she got close to a group of Muslim friends.

“Since my university days, I have had Muslim friends, but I only really started fasting in 2014 when I had a close knit group of Muslim friends,” the 30-year-old Sarawakian told FMT.

She explained that previously, she would always join her friends for their “buka puasa”. One day, she decided to try it for herself to see how they go about a normal day during the fasting month.

“It was difficult on the first day. I struggled to stay awake in the office and by the time the azan (call to prayer) for Maghrib sounded, I think I almost ‘pengsan’ (fainted).”

Muslims who fast during Ramadan do so from their first prayer (Subuh), which is typically around 5.30am, to their third prayer (Maghrib), which is typically around 7.30pm.

Leo said she decided to continue fasting during Ramadan when she realised it made her more disciplined. She also fasted for health reasons.

“I don’t fast just because everyone does it. It just helps me be more disciplined in terms of being in control of myself and I’m able to reflect more during this period. Plus it’s the only time the body can detox completely.”

She added that she has the utmost respect for her Muslim colleagues and friends who have been supportive of her, although her own family members do question her actions.

“They have asked me why I need to do this. Tak marah pun (they’re not angry with me), they’re just concerned that I might faint.”

Christians also fast during the Lent season before Easter, but Leo said she found that she was more disciplined following the Muslim tradition.

When asked whether fasting during Ramadan had got her interested to learn more about Islam, she admitted that it had.

“I do try to educate myself from time to time about Islam so I won’t be so ‘katak bawah tempurung’ (uninformed) and I do ask my (Muslim) friends for clarification if I don’t understand something.”

Leo revealed that apart from her Muslim friends, she was also close to many Muslim families, including one of her aunties and some of her first cousins.

“We celebrate everything from Christmas to Gawai to Raya, so I’m not alone in this.”

She admitted that while she had never fasted for an entire month, she would never give up trying to.

“I still can’t manage to puasa penuh (complete a month of fasting) yet, but last year I managed to do two full weeks and that was an awesome feeling.”