Non-Muslims fast during Ramadan

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Apparently non-Muslims as well have observed the benefits of fasting and decided to make the best of it as a Hindu family residing in Dubai has been fasting during Ramadan. This is not their first time. They have been fasting during Ramadan for 14 years. “We cannot imagine a Ramadan without fasting. It is like an inner call,” said VakkamJayalal, 54, an Indian expat who along with his wife Yamuna, 43, who have been UAE residents for 32 years.Jayalal, a coordinator at a civil consultant firm, said he started fasting 21 years ago when he lived with a Muslim family in Abu Dhabi.“I was the only non-Muslim in the house. So I decided to fast as well. It was a great experience. It has been over two decades since then, and not a Ramadan has passed when I have not observed fasting,” said the active community worker and art enthusiast.Ramadan fasting became a family affair after Jayalal got married 16 years ago. Yamuna, a housewife, started practicing this act as she was inspired by her husband, so “I also started fasting. It was tough in the beginning, but eventually it turned out to be great learning experience.”When it comes to the Aishwarya, 17, and Rahul, 21, they have been fasting since they were eight and 10.Jayalal explained that: “I never forced them to fast. They started it on their own as they were fascinated by its concept. It has been several years, but they have never missed a fast. Whether they are in the UAE or abroad, they always observe Ramadan as a month of fasting.”Aishwarya, in Kerala, India, she is the only non-Muslim girl in her school who observes a fast.As mentioned in gulfnews.com, “the devotion and spiritual strength of the family has inspired even Jayalal’s 82-year-old mother who is visiting the UAE..”The family explained their devotion to this Muslim act of worship is due to itsphysical and mental benefit. It is not only a means of losing extra weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but also a instrumental in disciplining one’s mind,” said Jayalal.There are other non-Muslim families who observe the fast during Ramadan as it is a “month-long exercise in spiritual cleansing and devotion every year. While some are inspired by the concept, other observe the Ramadan fast to express solidarity with their Muslim brethren.”RajendranParameshwaran, 48, another Indian expatriate in Abu Dhabi, says it is the 14th year he is fasting during Ramadan.Parameshwaran explained that: “This one month is the time to cleanse our mind and body by exercising self-restraint. It also helps you understand the value of food and reflect on the plight of the poor who do not get even one meal a day.” For Parameshwaran, fasting started as a friendly gesture to express solidarity with his Muslim roommates in the estimation company in which he works.“There were 12 of us and I was the only non-Muslim. When it was Ramadan I also woke up with them, ate food and observed fasting. I did not want to eat when my friends were fasting,” said Parameshwaran, who is married with two children.However, he continued this tradition even after moving out: “My blood pressure comes to normal when I am fasting. It is also invigorating for the mind and body provided you do not overeat after when you end the fast,” he said.Friends and colleagues became more and more interested in Parameshwaran’s fasting habits: “Now they all know that I fast during Ramadan. My family in India asks me two days before Ramadan whether I am fasting. The answer is an obvious Yes!”Because of the vast array of benefits that one can derive from fasting, it has become a universal rather than a an exclusively Muslim act of worship./129