Ramadan in the heat: Thirsty today, tomorrow in Paradise
'God protects he who fasts,' explains Arab-Israeli journalist who has decided to allow his small children to fast in the summer heat. Ramadan a 'golden opportunity' to bring family close together, says eight-month pregnant career woman who plans on fasting
Estimates indicate that more than 80% of Israel's Muslims are fasting for the holiday. They say that faith keeps them strong during the long hours of the day when the heat is a significant factor.
"The Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam," said deputy head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Kamal Khatib. "It is difficult to fast during the summer when the fast lasts many long hours, but the fasters know that now it is difficult and they are thirsty, but on Judgment Day, they will be eligible to drink of Paradise. He who has faith finds strength."
The month of Ramadan is set according to the new moon, and every year commences 11 days prior to the previous year's start date. As such, the fast sometimes falls in the winter and sometimes in the summer. Muslims, however, will have to fast during the hot summer months for another seven years until Ramadan again falls during the winter. In addition to the heat, another difficulty that fasters need to contend with is the extended summer daylight that makes the fasting longer, as the fast starts at sunrise and ends at sunset.
Children compete who can fast longer
Though Islam does not obligate fasting on children who have yet to reach adolescence, many children in Arab towns want to fast. "My children are aged six and eight, and they asked to start fasting this year," said Abdel Munam, an internet editor and journalist. "I don't force them, but encourage them a lot. I told them what kinds of gifts God gives to those who fast. I also promised them a big trip during the holiday if they succeed in fasting until then."
According to him, other children in the neighborhood are fasting. He said there is a kind of competition running between them to see who can fast the longest.
When asked whether he is concerned about young children fasting in the heat, Munam answered, "I read about the history of Islam, and it is written that children their age fasted and it didn't bother them. So I understand that God protects those who fast."
Dr. Abu Ahmed, mother of two and eight months pregnant, feels the same way. "During my previous pregnancies, I didn't fast. But this time I decided I'm not giving up. The sense of holiness and blessing that accompany this month helps me deal with the hardship. It's true that it is especially difficult this year because the fast is during summer vacation when the children are at home and must be taken care of.
"When you are a woman who works and takes care of the children, it is no simple task, but I thought to myself yesterday before Ramadan whether it is worthwhile to miss out on the sense of happiness when you break the fast every evening and the sense of family the children wait for all year, and I decided I could handle it."
Abu Ahmed said that Ramadan is a "golden opportunity" to bring the family together "especially when the parents work and are hardly at home. All of a sudden, everyone hurries to be back home by six to eat the break fast meal."
