Ramadan Roadside to Inside by Khobaib Hussain (Birmingham Four)

Khobaib Hussain writes exclusively for CAGE International about how prisoners can make the best of Ramadan, despite being behind bars. He was informed about the case of the Filton18 and made aware that many of them would be spending their first Ramadan away from family and behind bars. 

Hussain, is one of the Birmingham four, a case of police corruption, deceit, and state-led Islamophobia. The men were victims of an elaborate setup by West Midlands Police, leading to their conviction and subsequent life sentences based on fabricated evidence. You can learn more about the Birmingham Four by watching our documentary here and support the men by signing the petition here.

Ramadan Roadside to Inside

The Ramadan just before I came to prison was probably one of my best. 2016 summertime I felt a closeness to Allah SWT that was like no other Ramadan. The best moments were taraweeh (night prayers in Ramadan) and qiyam al-layl (night prayers). It’s hard to explain; it felt like a farewell Ramadan to the outside world. Allah SWT had decreed the next chapter for us was incarceration for a crime we did not commit.

For some of our brothers and sisters, it will be their first Ramadan in prison. This is a unique experience and only one behind bars will truly know. The prison provides a hot box that contains your servery food to keep it warm until iftar (time to break fast). The chaplaincy imam provides prisoners with dates donated by charities and extra food you can order on your canteen sheet weekly from money earned from workshops and sent in from friends and family.

The Ramadan atmosphere is definitely alive inside. Brothers always share food; here at Long Lartin, you can cook your own food. The wing smells of fried pakoras and freshly baked cakes. Mango lassi is a favourite drink that is easy to make. All you need is one can of mango pulp, milk, and condensed milk—all available on the canteen sheet.

Putting the food aside, the best utilisation of your time is bang-up time when it is just you and your Lord. As you sit and make dhikr (remembrance), read Quran, and supplicate, Maghrib (sunset prayer) approaches, and you hear the call to prayer echo on the wings, and often you hear the adhan (call to prayer) on other wings.

At suhoor (dawn meal), you can see the opposite cells from a distance; lights flicker on as brothers rise up to close their fasts. On some days, the moon is visible, clear, and you take a moment to ponder over Allah’s creation. The barbed wire glistens in the night sky against the backdrop of floodlights and security cameras—a constant reminder that you're in prison.

Be sure to make the most of the last ten nights. Search for the calm, still night and pour your heart out to your Lord. The solidarity from fellow Muslim inmates is what makes Ramadan in prison. Everyone makes dua (supplications) for each other, praying and hoping this is their last Ramadan inside.

Remember, your body is imprisoned, but your soul is free to worship Allah SWT.

Drink plenty of water and always remember those in more harsh conditions.

May Allah SWT give you your blessed Ramadan and accept it from you, Ameen.

Your fellow prisoner, Khobaib Hussain, Birmingham Four

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If you would like to write to Khobaib or the other 3 innocent men imprisoned, you can write to them here: 

Khobaib Hussain (A0537CJ) - Long Lartin
Mohibur Rahman (A3480AZ) - Frankland 
Naweed Ali (A0531CJ) - Frankland
*Tahir Aziz *(A8301DV) - Whitemoor

You can also use the email a prisoner service here: https://www.emailaprisoner.com/

Or you can post mail to the following addresses: 

• **HMP Long Lartin, **South Littleton, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 8TZ
• **HMP Frankland, **Brasside, Durham DH1 5YA
• HMP Whitemoor,Whitemoor, Longhill Rd, March PE15 0PR

Note all mail is checked by prison staff, please be mindful of what you include in your messages.