Omar Daniel is embracing Ramadan with gratitude once again this year. However, this time the holy month feels a little different—and more challenging—as he has to balance fasting with a demanding filming schedule.
Speaking in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (February 26, 2026), Omar shared that in general, this year’s Ramadan feels much like previous ones.
“Observing Ramadan this year is more or less the same as in past years. The preparations and everything else are pretty similar,” he said casually.
Having an established routine over the years has made it easier for him to adjust to the rhythm of fasting. Still, things became more intense when work commitments filled his schedule from the very start of the month.
Fasting While Filming: A Unique Experience
This year, Omar has been involved in the production of the series Ikhlas Paling Serius. Uniquely, filming began right as Ramadan started, meaning he and the entire team had to fast while working on set.
“What’s unique this year is that we were filming Ikhlas Paling Serius right as Ramadan began. So we went through it together with the crew and cast,” he explained.
Despite the physical demands, Omar appreciated the sense of togetherness. Breaking the fast with fellow cast and crew members created a warm atmosphere and strengthened their bond on set.
Fortunately, filming did not last the entire month. The tight schedule occurred only at the beginning of Ramadan before production wrapped.
“Filming has just finished. So it was mainly the early part of Ramadan that was busy. Now it’s more relaxed, and I can enjoy resting,” he said.
Physical Challenges During Fasting
Behind the camaraderie, there were undeniable physical challenges. Before Ramadan, Omar had been trying to gain weight. Normally, he has more time at home to manage his diet and maintain a regular workout routine.
“When I’m resting at home, I have more time to control my meals and exercise,” he explained.
For Omar, exercise is a key preparation before Ramadan. By strengthening his physical condition beforehand, he can adapt more easily once fasting begins.
“Usually, my main preparation before Ramadan is actually intensifying my workouts, so when Ramadan starts, my body is already adjusted,” added the Surakarta-born actor.
This year, however, things were different. Since late January and early February, he had already been fully occupied with filming. The packed schedule left him with no time to exercise as he normally would.
“I couldn’t work out at all because filming was full-on from early February—even from late January we had already started the process. So the biggest challenge was adapting,” he concluded.
Learning to Adapt
For the 30-year-old actor, the key to managing Ramadan amid a hectic schedule is adaptability. Although he feels fatigue more quickly while fasting and working, he strives to maintain his energy and focus so that both his professional responsibilities and spiritual commitments remain balanced.
This Ramadan may not follow his ideal routine from previous years. Yet through these challenges, Omar has learned that fasting is not only about refraining from food and drink—it is also about balancing responsibilities, maintaining health, and staying grateful in every circumstance.
Under the bright lights of a busy film set, Omar Daniel proves that professionalism and spirituality can go hand in hand.
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