ADEEB BAIOU: “The most challenging part is staying hydrated and not being able to drink water.”

His sister Sabrine finds it easier to fast in the summer. Why? No school.

SABRINE BAIOU: “I actually like it better because we don’t have to wake up as early and the days, they might be longer, but you can sleep in, until, like, really late in the afternoon.”

Sabrine has a summer job at a local restaurant. She has to be around other people who are eating and drinking while she is fasting.

SABRINE BAIOU: “It’s a little tough as like a person who serves food and drink to people. It’s, like, hard watching them but I kind of try not to think about it.”

Fifteen year old Serage Gerbbi says many of his non-Muslim friends wonder how he is able to keep the fast.

SERAGE GERBBI: “In the very beginning they will be in shock, like how you stay without water the whole day. They are very supportive, like sometimes they’re too shy to eat in front of me.”

Serage and his friends say they might feel hungry, thirsty and tired at times while fasting. But, they say they understand why they are doing it.

SERAGE GERBBI: “You start being closer to your religion, closer to God. Second of all, you remember the poor and people are suffering, like, we’re only staying throughout the day. People are not going to sleep hungry.”