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Recently
I read an article about the Muslim ritual of fasting. That piece has created
some unrest in my mind because it is essentially defensive, giving an impression
that we become zombies during Ramadhan and should be handled with care!
With the month of Ramadhan fast approaching, I would like to take out
time to dispel any negative images caused by misinformation about Ramadhan and
it's importance for Muslims.
It's taken me years to create an atmosphere where my colleagues, friends and acquaintances feel totally comfortable
around me during the month of Ramadhan. I fast regularly and have taken time out
to explain what it's all about. If colleagues make coffee during Ramadhan and
invite me to partake of it, I simply laugh and say, "ask me again next
week". I don't expect an apology because I've made it quite clear to
everyone around me, that fasting
does not make me an outcast or hermit and that they must not feel they have to
be overly cautious in dealing with me. I sit through meetings where lunch is
served and try not to make an issue of the fact that I am fasting.
Fasting,
as I have explained to my non-Muslim friends, is done to increase one's
spirituality and will power. We, as muslims, fast as a part of our religion and for our own physical and spiritual
gains. A
"holier-than-thou" attitude negates the concept of fasting. We are not
supposed to let our ritual of fasting become a burden on those around us. It is important to differentiate between starvation which is going
without food, and fasting, which requires going without food and water as
well as being extra conscious of attitude, behaviour and trend of thought.
In
giving guidance to people for dealing with "grumpy Muslims", some
people perpetuate the theory that Muslims are crabby because they are fasting,
so stay away! My feeling is, if
anyone is going to be grumpy, then they should not fast. During Ramadhan it becomes more important to practice self restraint and
remain cheerful with everyone. Basically, fasting is a personal commitment and is not done to impress
anyone or as a favour to others.
I
confess that the first few days are difficult for me, mainly due to caffeine
withdrawal. However, once my body
realises that it will get food and water only before sunrise and after sunset, I
manage fine. My reflexes are not that sharp and I nod off around 2 p.m. but so
do many others around me, who are not fasting and have indulged in a huge lunch!
Besides,
we have a lot to be grateful for. Fasting
in this part of the world is a "cinch" as my younger son happily
confesses. Days are short; the
weather is perfect for fasting; we have plenty to drink and eat before and after
the fast; we live in comfortable homes; and we are not forced to work out on the
street. It's not as though we are
in a drought ridden, war torn country, where I am told, that despite appalling
conditions, people do observe the fast. This is one of the traumas of human life, that we become acutely aware of
when we fast - how it feels to live without basic, life-giving needs, which we
take for granted.
In her "tips to behave with fasting Muslims",
the writer who's article bothered me, advises you to assume that all
Muslims are fasting and not ask questions. This assumption is based on ignorance because all Muslims are NOT
fasting. There are many exemptions from fasting. Sick people, pregnant women,
travellers and children under a certain age are not supposed to fast. And
there are those who do not fast because they decide not to. So, it's perfectly acceptable to ask.
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