Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar on Ramadan in Scotland

In today's Sunday Herald, Yousaf of the SNP and Labour's Sarwar write about their experiences in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which fasting is observed from dawn to sunset.

Both senior figures in their own parties, the two MSPs, speak about the challenges of observing their faith's strict annual fast, while battling with the daily cut and thrust of Holyrood politics.

Whether, it's dehydration during parliamentary clashes, exhaustion or reflections on their public and family lives, Yousaf and Sarwar speak about their Ramadan in Scotland.

Humza Yousaf

Minister for Transport and the Islands. MSP for Glasgow Pollok.

I've done Ramadan since I was 12 or 13 years old.

I normally start my fast at about 1.30am.

The main things is to be hydrated, so I always get a couple of big glasses of water before it starts.

But eating is difficult at that time of the morning, so I normally have to force myself to have something like fruit.

There have been odd times when I've had a slice of pizza left over from the last night.

But the main thing is that I drink as much as water as possible.

But of course you drink so much that by about 3am normally, you need to get up and go to the bathroom.

So in that way, it interrupts your sleep.

If I take this Thursday morning, I had to leave the house at 7.50am and didn't finish until nearly 8pm.

So it's that tiredness that gets to you more than anything else.

My job involves a fair bit of talking, so your mouth gets dry very quickly.

As a minister my day is back to back during very intensive days.

But you get through it.

There's also the end of the fast at about 9.30pm when you have food ready at the table and you are literally counting down the minutes.

You just dig in and are thankful that you are finally able to eat.

But the big problem is that your stomach shrinks, so I usually end up having water and soup and a bit of food.

Last night I had one piece of chicken and some bread and that was it. I was stuffed.

With my job as transport minister, I keep in touch with the Met Office, so when I became aware of the hot weather, I knew I was in for a difficult time.

My ministerial brief isn't a quiet one and it can be tricky.

In the Scottish Parliament chamber, I always try to adopt a conciliatory approach as opposed to an abrasive one.

But during Ramadan, when the tiredness creeps in, there are moments when your patience wears thin.

It's usually okay though.

Another important thing is the food you eat at the permitted times.

There are things you try to avoid like fried food.

But Ramadan is a time for reflection, when you think about people who have to go without food because of poverty.

I'm choosing to fast.

However, there are many people who miss one meal or all a day's meals not through choice, but because of poverty.

Anas Sarwar

Scottish Labour MSP for Glasgow and the party's health spokesman at Holyrood

Ramadhan for me is all about the challenges and the rewards.

"You can still drink water, right?”

That’s often the first reaction when I discuss Ramadhan with colleagues, friends and constituents.

The answer is no. Nothing can pass your lips from sunrise to sunset each day for 30 days.

I find that dehydration is harder than being hungry. Throughout the day you are parched, and then the sore head arrives later in the evening during the final couple of hours.

Living in Scotland, the chances of a sweltering hot day are slimmer, but the summer days are still long.

As a dentist, I pride myself on oral hygiene. But as anyone who has ever done a fast will tell you, the biggest fear of all is: can they smell my honking breath? It’s particularly a challenge when a colleague leans in for a private whispered conversation in the chamber or corridor.

Ramadhan also brings challenges with sleep. For those like my wife Furheen and I with young children who still wake up during the night, it’s even tougher. Stay in late to eat, wake up several times during the night, and then up early for the school-run and work.

If it sounds challenging, it is.

So why do it, people ask? Because while it’s challenging it’s even more rewarding. There are so many positives that Ramadhan delivers.

It teaches us to learn about discipline and sacrifice.

It brings families closer together, something I cherish given the job I have and the time I spend away from them in Edinburgh. We break fast - Iftar- together, staying up late or waking up early together for sehri – the meal before sunrise. I like to think we are kinder and more generous to each other over this month too.

Ramadhan also makes you appreciate what you have and think of those less fortunate. We are sacrificing and feeling hunger for just 30 days. For some people here in the UK and around the world, that is a daily occurrence.

That’s why there is such a focus on charity. UK Muslims donate over £100million to charity just during the month of Ramadhan - supporting charities at home and abroad.

During this Ramadhan, I will be particularly thinking of those who are fasting in areas of conflict, such as Gaza, Syria and beyond.

During Ramadhan you see and hear of amazing sacrifices and communities supporting one another. Particular credit must go to all the people who volunteer in mosques and community centres during Ramadhan. People who have been fasting all day themselves, but then help to feed hundreds of their fellow citizens as soon as the fast opens.

And it’s great there are more and more non-Muslims doing solidarity fasts for a day with their friends, family or work colleagues.

You can also visit your local mosque or community centre and break fast. You will be more than welcome.