'I flew to the UAE to fast with my father'

For young Falah Abdul Gafoor, Ramadan means a time of family gatherings. He remembers how his relatives would gather at home to end their fast with a variety of dishes being ?prepared under the supervision of his grandmother, Fathima Pookundil. The special feeling of sharing, caring and giving is something Falah enjoys very much about the holy month.

But there was always one thing he missed during Ramadan - spending time with his dear father.

"My father, Abdul Gafoor Kalneelagath, is always busy with his work here in Abu Dhabi. I will be with my mother Fauziya in Kannur."

So, when the 12-year-old decided to start his first month-long fast, he decided it had to be with his father. He made his plans known to his mother. And Falah travelled from Kerala to the UAE capital on a visit visa. "Fasting and reciting the Quran are the important aspects of Ramadan. I had seen my father follow these practices with utmost devotion. So when I decided to fast, I had to be here with him."

Falah has been fasting for the last two years, but this is his first one without a break. "My granny is the head of the family. She has always told me to follow my father's deeds. So, I thought there was no better way to start my fasting month than be here with my father."

About his initial days of fasting, he said: "It was tough. I was a bit tired too, but my father set me a schedule to follow. It was like the timetable he used to set for my exam studies. The only difference this time that is he is there in person to guide me. Now after a week, I am comfortable doing fasting and liking it too. There are other elements too like Quran recitation, going to the mosque, and ending the fast that I enjoy."

However, his father Abdul poked Falah and said: "He eats very little food on any given day. So, I don't know why it should be tough for him to fast. Moreover, during the month of Ramadan, there would be nothing cooked during the day time at home in Kannur. So, he should be used to this routine."

Falah is enjoying his stay with his father and is in love with Abu Dhabi, but he misses his football matches and friends.

"During Ramadan, I used to play with my friends at night. This is the only month when we are allowed to play till late night. I also have a few non-Muslim friends who too fast," the sixth-grader from Kannur Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan added.

Source: Khaleej Times