| Fasting in the West: No Big Deal! |
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By Abu H Sufyan
Ramadan is once again with us. A noble guest, which comes with much benefit, and blesses those fortunate ones with much to be happy about. This year in the UK fasting can be as long as 14 hours! For some, including my generation, this is the longest time we have ever fasted. So naturally it will be challenging, difficult.How difficult is it to fast in Ramadan in the west? I asked some young people in London. I got two striking answers from two young Muslim women. The first said "'As a Muslim having fast somewhat my entire life, I feel that hunger pangs are the least of my problems. Hungry I may feel, but this is outweighed by all the blessings the month of Ramadan brings along" (Rahela Begum, 19, undergraduate student from Southall, West London). The other one was a bit more practical, giving me a list of advantages and disadvantages: "Advantages of fasting: lose weight; save more money; pray more so it's good practice for praying even after Ramadan; avoid bad things; eat really nice food; lots of reward; most duas get accepted; think about the poor; give in charity; feeling proud of achievement. Disadvantages: always hungry; long hours mean always looking at time which never seems to end; no energy to do much; can't concentrate on study on empty stomach; running around children at work makes me tired quicker; hard for restaurant workers to cook and fast at the same time; can't taste your own cooking so cooking may not be as nice" (Rasma Begum, 18, undergraduate student from East London). Both are interesting observations. I get one message from both. Like any other ritual acts of worship, for a Muslim, wherever they may be, fasting is something they will do, despite the difficulties. Most Muslims in the West, look at these difficulties as challenges. That fasting has come as a form of training, to discipline one's self. To become more focussed, and patient, and sacrifice routine pleasures to please their Lord. Another young Muslim woman told me; "Fasting is here to teach us Taqwa (God-fearing, God-consciousness). It prepares us and teaches us to traverse the daily challenges we face and the temptations we need to stave off in our daily lives" (Yasmin Aeskerem, 18, student from Ealing, West London). Ramadan has a magical effect on Muslims, turning even the most 'uninterested' Muslim, into a 'conscious one'. As this young Muslim explains; "Well here it is again. In my school you'd know when Ramadan has started. The playground fills up with white prayer caps by the boys and black scarves by the girls" (Rabi Niam, 17, student from Newham, East London). What are these challenges? Well, unlike Muslim countries, our lives in the West have to revolve around the social, economic and prevailing secular market driven culture of the West. Where maintaining the economy, i.e. going to work is the single most powerful driving force for living. I suppose you could argue the same with most urbanised Muslim societies as well. But still there is a slight difference. In Muslim countries you are expected to take prayer breaks, go home in time for Iftar, and you are constantly reminded of your duties as a Muslim. It's different in the West. Although in recent years, multiculturalism has allowed, encouraged employers and civil society to be sympathetic to the needs of different faith communities. So, even in the civil service, regular prayer facilities including Friday prayers have been allowed, and in Ramadan, employers, local and central government has been sympathetic to the needs of the fasting members of society. With some government departments organising Iftar gatherings. Locally many secondary and primary schools also offer prayer facilities, so children have a sense of pride in their religion, and feel comfortable in observing their rituals. So, difficulties which our fathers faced even 10 years ago are no longer issues. And still now, although under severe attack from neo-con forces, Muslims in the UK live quite a comfortable life, with facilities and opportunities, our fathers could only dream of! I do not believe fasting was ordained to make Muslims physically any less active than they are in the rest of the year. If anything, it empowers Muslims to become more active, in regards to their Religion. Unfortunately, cultural influences make some of our community, feel that they have to slow down, move down a 'gear' or two in Ramadan. Give up normal activities. Ramadan indeed comes as a month of training for Muslims. Yes, spiritual training, but no spiritual training is worth anything without the mind and body working together, training together, to become a better human, morally, spiritually and physically than we were before. In Ramadan Muslims have a magnificent opportunity to show to our fellow citizens so many good habits, if adopted by society as a whole, would bring much peace. Giving up or reducing bad habits such as smoking; reduction or refraining from profane talk and avoiding arguments; softer and more sympathetic to people; feeding the poor; giving in charity; eating in moderation and so many more. Many Muslim groups and individuals take initiatives to share the fasting experience with their fellow colleagues and neighbours. Those who come across and are able to share in the experiences of this unique event, come away, much wiser, and more tolerant of the difference, which is so minute between themselves and their Muslim neighbours and colleagues. Fasting in the West is one of those rare chances Muslims give everyone a taste of the peaceful and serene nature of Islam. Of course, there will always be bad apples, who will be the exception to the rule, and of course those forces in society that do not want to see Islam and Muslims to grow and are always waiting to seize every occasion of a Muslim to slip, to capitalise on their anti-Muslim propaganda. Society, Muslim and non-Muslim, must not give these minorities on both sides, any opportunity to hijack our beliefs, our culture, and our differences, to turn us against one another. In the act of fasting, there is much to learn from, and there is much for Muslims to give. As long as Muslims are able to express this and their lifestyle, most fair-minded non-Muslims in the West will stop believing in the divisive propaganda against Islam, and give Islam a chance to flourish and contribute to make our society a better one for everyone. Abu H Sufyan Comments (0)
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