For 12-year-old Sufiya Afreen, her favourite burgers, pizzas and fried chicken will not be a temptation for the next one month. “I am eagerly waiting to wake up for s ehri on Friday and start fasting,” says the seventh standard student, who will be fasting for the first time this Ramzan.
The little girl, who has been seeing her parents observe the monthlong fast, is aware that the spirit of the fast is to humble oneself, increase moral discipline. She is aware that the fast is not a mere religious ritual. “My parents tell me that this month is a reminder of the plight of the less fortunate and I want to fast for the entire month,” she says.
The same spirit has overtaken eight-year-old Arafath Ahmed Farooqi from Mysuru, who fasted for a day during Ramzan last year. This year, his resolve seems stronger and he wants to fast for longer.
“I can abstain from food and water throughout the day. Also, I don’t need to carry my lunchbox to school on the days I fast. During the break, I can play with the others who are fasting,” the child says, with a smile.
According to his mother, Sumera Tabassum, Arafath is “super-excited” about fasting. By fasting and praying during this month, which also seeks to inculcate the spirit of self-control and discipline among its practitioners, Ms. Tabassum says her son is keen to become a good man when he grows up.
“Even if he is not awakened for sehri (pre-dawn meal), he will wake up on his own. He likes to break the fast with others in the evening. He likes to tell his friends that he is fasting, particularly when they are also doing the same,” she says.
