When non-Muslims fast in the holy month of Ramzan

It is while she was an engineering student that Anu Ann Mathew tried fasting for Ramzan, first. Watching her roommates Shabnam and Mohsina abstaining from food and water throughout the day, she too did not feel like having meals. Waking up with them for suhoor and joining them for the fast-breaking meal iftar, Anu tasted what it is like to observe the Ramzan fast, and she quite liked it!
“That was five years ago.However, I did not feel like stopping the practice. Every year, I decide not to follow it this year, but end up doing it! I guess it is also thanks to my continuing, close friendship with my college roommates,” says Anu, now an IT professional in Bangalore. The pure joy of experiencing something new, friendship, testing one’s will power, there are ample reasons for many non-Muslim Malayali youngsters to observe Ramzan fasting. We lend our ears to some of their stories:
Testing one’s will power: As in Anu’s case, many youngsters start off with the fast to provide company to their Muslim friends. Media professional Shriya C recalls, “I started fasting for Ramzan four years ago to join my flatmate in Kochi, a Muslim college girl. At first it was very difficult, especially skipping water, and I thought I will never do it again. But the next year and the years after that, when it’s the season, I decide to fast again. For me, it is a test of willpower, no religious reasons. I simply love food, so there is no greater test for me to check how strong I can be.”
For the experience: Observing a 30-day period of reflection, fasting from sunrise to sunset even on working days, might be easier for those who have been practising it from childhood. But for others, it can be extremely challenging. Kiran Kumar from Trivandrum says this is the reason why he started fasting. “The most difficult part was convincing my family, as they were afraid that I would fall sick.
It was also tough to turn down offers of coffee or snacks from colleagues at office. That said, I felt a sense of accomplishment upon sitting for Iftar with friends in the evening. I could feel my tolerance levels improving. This makes me to take it up year after year,” Kiran says.
Businessman Unni Nair, who started observing Ramzan fast this year, says, “I have always wondered what it would be like to not even drink water the whole day. I happened to ask this to one of my Muslim colleagues and he replied in jest, maybe I should try it for myself. I asked myself – Why not? So far, so good. But it is tough.”
For the love of Iftar food: Ever heard of someone giving up food for the love of it?
Here are a few: Rinu Mol Joseph, a student from Kottayam, says, “I am a great foodie and used to shamelessly ask my Muslim friends to invite me for their Iftar parties. A close friend of mine said that the Iftar food tastes a lot better when it is taken post the fast. I tried it for fun and couldn’t believe the taste of food – even a simple date.
It urged me to fast the next day and wait for Iftar. Meanwhile, I joined my friends during their prayers too and the experience felt refreshing and wonderful.” However, getting up before sunrise for breakfast was a challenge for her. “I used to sleep off. However, waking up and fasting did not take a toll on my health,” Rinu adds.
Fasting = fitness: For quite a few, Ramzan is a great time to lose weight and gain health. Arun S Nath from Calicut, who has been fasting for the past two years during Ramzan, says, “While I am generally lazy to exercise or even diet, observing Ramzan fast helps me tame my cravings. It helps to obtain a kind of control over your carnal self. The best part is that I have quite a few Muslim friends. I stick around them during this month and that helps. After the month of Ramzan I feel quite fit, compared to the rest of the year.”