Published: 12/08/2010 10:00 -
Updated: 16/08/2010 16:49
Wednesday August 11– First day of Ramadan 4.04am - 8.43pm
Snoozing my alarm until I finally got out of bed for work at 8.03am, I knew that a 12 hour day without food and drink was ahead of me.
I also knew that it would be strange for my work colleagues, the majority of whom have never worked with a Muslim during the month of Ramadan to observe such a ritual at the office.
So I prepared myself by eating as much as my belly could tolerate then knocking out at 2am. After a few hours kip I was up again to perform dawn prayer at 4.45am to run straight back into bed!
Arriving at work, my thoughtful co-workers and managers were fully aware that I was fasting.
Their cautious yet comical behaviour about what to have for lunch, doing the ‘water rounds’ and splitting ‘fag breaks’ made me chuckle at the same time feeling warm towards their consideration.
By the time I left the office at 5.30pm, I had a desert dry mouth cocktailed with bad breath.
In between the five daily prayers, a constant thought kept bugging my mind - the millions of flood victims who are suffering in Pakistan.
How can I possibly define my 12 hour fast as a ‘struggle’ when my brothers and sisters in Pakistan don’t have clean water or dates to open their fast with?
How can I go home to my family, shower with clean water, a variety of dishes to feast from and five mosques to pray in, yet call my fast a struggle?
All these questions brought me to the conclusion how ungrateful many of us are - Muslims and non-Muslims alike about our health, wealth and life in general.
The fast track consumer lifestyle we are surrounded by has plagued our minds and made us oblivious to how fortunate we actually are.
The main lesson I have learnt during today’s fast is to look beyond the material happiness which will no doubt be replaced by another futile object, but appreciate the cherished elements of life which we take for granted.
