'It was my sister who encouraged me to start fasting'

Mohamed Anas started to fast when he was eight. His progress was gradual. He started by fasting for few hours, then began fasting for 10 days. But by the age of nine he started fasting regularly for the whole month of Ramadan. He was emulating his elder sister Ansam who also started fasting when she was 8.

"I was so eager to fast like my sister Ansam. I remember it was a holiday when I first kept my Ramadan fast and we were so excited that me and my sister Ansam did not go to sleep until 4am. We then woke up our parents for Suhoor, who then directed me to take enough water and food to keep me comfortable during the day-long fast," recalled Mohammed Anas, who is now 14.

Crediting his sister Ansam (now 18) for keeping him motivated through the fast, Mohamed Anas said: "My sister always encouraged me to control my hunger and thirst. She would divide our time in different ways so that I stay busy in activities and not think about hunger or thirst. Sometimes we would play, then watch TV, recite the Holy Quran and the day would pass quickly."

Describing fasting during school hours, Mohamed Anas said: "The first few days were difficult and after 3pm I would start feeling thirst, especially in summers. But I soon got used to it and continued to fast normally while playing, reading and going to school."

A grade 9 student at The Westminster School in Dubai, Mohamed Anas said fasting has now become quite easy for him as now many of his Muslim friends at school also fast with him.

"School keeps us so busy and occupied that we don't even feel we are fasting anymore. And it is not me alone who is fasting but there are many students who are fasting at school even when we have our exams going on, " he told Khaleej Times.

Talking about the essence of fasting, Mohamed Anas said: " Yes it is hot and it may seem tough to fast but this is our way of thanking our Creator, who has set certain rules for us that are beneficial to us. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a command of God. Therefore by obeying God, we are in a way worshipping Him."

"I love Ramadan, as we have the opportunity to pray more, recite the Holy Quran and feel closer to God, get the immense blessings in the last ten days of this holy month and especially the Laylatul Qadr night.

"This is also a special time for us as relatives and friends came to visit us and enjoy the special Ramadan cuisine.

Mohamed Anas said he especially enjoyed the spirit of Ramadan in Sharjah where he resides.

"When you go to streets you see Ramadan tents in various areas, special night lamps and decorations adorning streets. Mosques are full of worshippers, enjoying prayers as well as Suhoor or Iftar meals together."

Mohamed Anas said he knows fasting is good for health and people can reduce weight in also got God blessing and forgiveness in addition to that people help the poor people and get together in addition to lots of benefits the person get in Ramadan. He said families should encourage children to fast and be exemplary Muslims.

Source: Khaleej Times