When children find pride in discipline during Ramadan

Manama : For Ahmed, this Ramadan will always remain a special month to cherish for the rest of his life. It was the first time that the nine-year-old boy was able to fast, abstaining from food and drink from sunrise until sunset. It was an achievement that he never expected he could accomplish, particularly during the hot weather.

Ahmed was confident he would be able to fast for a few days, but he didn’t think he could overcome the pressures and temptations successfully throughout the month.

Raised with his younger sibling Ali, he drew his motivation from his parents who encouraged him to take the leap forward and join them in celebrating the true essence of the auspicious month by fasting.

“It was quite a challenge, and thank God, he was able to successfully observe the month with us,” his father Hassan said. “We really appreciate his determination and perseverance. His mother and I see it as an outstanding feat for him and a source of great pride for us. The values of self-discipline and self-restraint as well as the sense of sharing and generosity should be instilled in people at a young age. When they are trained during their childhood, they will be able to learn and achieve in the future as well.”

There is no minimum age for fasting, but it usually begins at puberty. However, many Muslim families tend to encourage their children to try to fast for a few hours a day as a way to teach them about the significance of the spirit and purposes of the holy month, before they reach adolescence.

“My son Rayyan, who is 14, has been regularly fasting for three years now,” Ines, a teacher, said. “When he was eight, it was only for a few hours, usually until noon. He then stretched it to three or four in the afternoon. But when he was 11, he decided to fast all day long. Now it has become a natural thing to do.”

Mirvet said her son started fasting since he was in elementary school.

“He was 10 at the time, and it was more a fun challenge with his classmates. In the beginning, he mainly skipped breakfast, something that he was of course happy to do. At school, he would proudly talk with his classmates about his ability to fast. However, once at home, he would have a couple of bites. Later he skipped the snacks and the clandestine sips of drinks, and joined the family in fasting.”

She said that the presence of computers greatly helped her son and other children with fasting.

“Children do not have to go out to play, putting physical pressure on their fragile bodies. Today, they can sit at home in the comfort of the air-conditioners,” she said. “There are of course many other ways to motivate the children to fast, and parents should explore them.”