Ramadan on social media

How have you been using social media this year during Ramadan?

Well, I have been using social media to find recipes online or to share my experiences with other users online… Most of the time, I just complain on social media about how hard it is to fast for almost 19 or 20 hours here in Europe. Or if something weird or really funny happens, I post it online.

So you just mentioned that you sometimes complain about having to fast for 19 or 20 hours, something that most of us can't even imagine. There's a hashtag, #Ramadanproblems, which people use to voice some of their complaints and experiences. Why would you go to social media to complain about Ramadan? Is this something that people do on the streets, or is it just on social media?

I think that most people complain on Twitter or Facebook to share their experiences, to share their feelings. Of course, it is a very holy time, for resting and reflecting on your life and what comes afterwards, but it is also about unity and sharing your feelings with other people…I think that social media is perfect for that.

There was a study published last year, which was based on the usage of social media in 2012 (during Ramadan) in nine different countries in the Middle East. It showed that social media use rose by 30 percent during Ramadan. Do you think you are using social media more during at this time?

Oh, definitely, because I have more time to be on social media - instead of going out with friends and eating something...And also, I really like to connect with others on social media during this time because Ramadan really makes you more emotional - not eating and not drinking. So I can really understand why people use it more.

Does it help to be able to tweet about it and just exchange with someone in another country?

Yesterday, I came home after 11 hours of work. I had prepared food, which I couldn't taste before because I was fasting. And when I was finally sitting down because I was so happy to have food and to eat, it tasted so awful, and the first thing I did, I took out my phone and tweeted about it. And there were so many responses - people feeling for me. And since I live alone, and I have to practice Ramadan alone, I felt like there are other people who feel the same.

Let's talk about the tweets. What do we see? When are people tweeting?

Wow, all the time. But I think it's in the beginning, it's mostly Sahur (pre-dawn meal) when people are having their breakfast in the middle of the night, or at Iftar when they are finally eating again. And a lot of people post what they are eating. During the day, they are complaining about having to wait a few hours more. So yeah, that's what people post all the time.

There's been talk of DKNY's Ramadan collection, and there's images on Twitter. For me, it's like, Ramadan is commercial.

Before Ramadan started, I went shopping, and I bought dresses which are longer which I feel are more appropriate for Ramadan, so I think it's a great idea. I was also very surprised. I never experienced this before that Ramadan was so commercial. This is the first time for me. Online, I found a website for Nestlé giving Ramadan recipes - that was also a very new thing for me.

Do you think that the fact there's social media usage during Ramadan and people have realized that, it's also a way for companies to use the hashtag and push their products?

Yes, definitely. Ramadan is a very festive time as well, just like Christmas. People are not celebrating Christmas just for three days but almost a whole month. As soon as winter starts, it's about Christmas. And for companies now, it is very easy to use for their products, and to advertise more.

Afghan-German journalist Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi works for DW's Afghanistan department. She also happens to be an avid Twitter user.