I will be fasting for the next 30 days or thereabouts...all depending on when they decide to hold the Eid festival this year.

So I wish to dispel a number of fallacies in relation to the month of Ramadan.

And this goes out to those fasting and those not.

First and foremost, this is a crucial point for the next 30 days or so.

Although every Muslim is expected to fast, not all do.

This, in the long-run, can cause undue and unnecessary damage to the general understanding of things.

Just last year I got told so-and-so doesn't fast because he is allowed to eat to vegetables between one and three in the afternoon.

I was also told that was because he is from a certain part of Pakistan where they only fast when they like.

It has also come to my attention that some folk feel they need to clear the room of all food and drink when someone is fasting.

I went to a meeting and the hosts even refused to have coffee in front of me.

Although this was a kind gesture, none of this should really matter - I'm special but not that special.

Have the cake, the coffee and all the lashings of cream if you wish. Just because I'm the one who is fasting does not mean you should too.

Most people already know all the basics - no eating from dawn until sunset, no drinking, no smoking, no passive smoking!

But I was asked if I have to refrain from the relations side of things.

Modesty forbids, but let's just say there is also no need to stop playing football.

Okay, kids have it tough although they don't necessarily need to fast in the first place and I would cancel their games if need be.

But for grown-ups the games must go on.

We've lost a couple of usual suspects to Ramadan again this year and we only had eleven in our team.

Finally - and this is probably the most important bit when fasting - one is not allowed to be miserable.

It is understandable to be a bit ratty but the world doesn't and shouldn't come to a halt just because one is fasting.