Children fondly remember unique experience of fasting

Dubai: Fasting during Ramadan is a unique experience for children from various corners of the Gulf. The period brings back memories of making serious commitments to fast during the month.

Some children also laugh at how their will-power is tested when they see delicious cookies stocked in the refrigerator to be served at iftar, and how they have been caught eating candies and drinking water secretly before the maghreb prayer.

Mawada Al Sayed, 11, a Saudi national and student at Tahfith Al Quran Al Oula School, told Gulf News: "Ramadan brings back very nice memories. We feel proud when we think of the times we kept the fast. We are also embarrassed when he think of the moments when we were caught eating.

"To tell you the truth, I used to fast one day and eat the following day. I felt hungry and I seriously found it hard to resist the aroma of delicacies. I could not control myself and ran to the kitchen secretly to enjoy the cookies," Mawada said.

Her elder sister interjects, "Behind my back" and starts to laugh at her sister's mischief.

Asked whether someone saw her, she replies: "I was very careful not to be caught. I opened the fridge and took out the cookies quietly. I hid in the kitchen until I finished, then pretended I was still fasting."

But Mawada's secret didn't remain one for long. One of her sisters caught her just as she was biting into a chocolate bar.

But she immediately came up with a good reason: "I'm starving!" That excuse usually got her off the hook.

Mo'taz Abdullah Al Qasimi, a 12-year-old Omani, tells Gulf News enthusiastically, "No kidding, this Ramadan, no more games."

Asked what kind of 'games' he used to play previously, he said: "Well, I tried to fast, but there were many times I felt thirsty. So I said to myself why don't I drink something today and try again tomorrow?"

This year, however, little Mo'taz made a decision to set a good example for the rest of his peers.

His mother is naturally joyful hearing about his decision. "I educate my kids about Ramadan and why we fast," she says.

Mo'taz's words encourage his eight-year-old sister Sommia. "I love Ramadan so much and when I shall get a bit older I will enjoy fasting. I shall be better than my brother Mo'taz," she says A Saudi student at Dar Al Oluom School admitted he also used to fast for a day, then felt the need to fill up his stomach the next. Faisal Al Mujali, 11, said: "I used to eat every little while."

He laughs and adds, "To tell you the truth I used to fast one day, but the following day I unfortunately couldn't take it, so I simply hurried to fill my stomach in the middle of the day."

Faisal justifies his action saying, "At least I tried and I'm going to make a serious attempt from now on."

His elder sister gives him a word of advice: "Listen, now you have made a public obligation. If you don't fast the whole month, I'm going to report you to Gulf News."

Faisal immediately says: "When we make a sincere effort to fast during Ramadan, Allah rewards us with Eid Al Fitr when we can enjoy eating the best yummy sweets." His sister warns us that her brother is saying this only to make himself look good "in front of us".

12-year-old Emirati friends Hamad, Saif and Mustafa have pleasant memories of Ramadans past. "Two of us fasted almost all the days of previous Ramadans; however some days were really hot so two of us decided to only drink water."

They admit, "We know we weren't supposed to do that and it is totally wrong. We promise to make a stronger commitment during future Ramadans."

Saif is proud of the fact that he managed to fast properly during Ramadan.

He says, "I'm the best because I fasted all the days of previous Ramadans. Despite the hunger and thirst I felt back then, I didn't break my fast."

This Ramadan, however, all the three friends have fasted properly and are very happy about it.