Fasting for unity of mankind

Manama : Babu Cleopatra, a non-Muslim man from India, has been fasting during Ramadan for the past 30 years to promote inter-religious unity and friendship. 

While fasting is a religious obligation for Muslims in Ramadan, Cleopatra’s reasons are not religious or good health, he fasts for unity of mankind. 

As a devout Hindu, Cleopatra does not believe in the spiritual side of Ramadan but he is determined to fast every year. He said he started fasting after being inspired by his roommates. 

“I had a few roommates back then. They were all Muslims. Seeing them fasting was what inspired me to start. They offered me food and encouraged me to eat during the day but I declined. It was not because I felt shy of eating or anything like that. I just wanted to understand what experience they go through, not just them but all the Muslims during Ramadan,” he said. 

Speaking about his experience he said he had always felt healthier whenever he fasted.

 “I learned quickly that fasting made me feel healthier. Not eating or drinking did not slow me down or make me less energetic,” he said. 

“Although I am not a Muslim, I feel blessed and I am glad that I have started doing this. I don’t think I will ever stop now. Everyone has been supportive to me. AT present, I live with a Hindu roommate but I continued fasting even though my roommate does not. I wake up at 2:00am and eat some nuts and fruits, wait for the Azan and the go back to sleep. Just like all Muslims, I break my fast in the evening as the Magrib Azan sounds,” he said. 

He said that he had received media attention from Indian newspapers as well. 

“Last year when a report appeared in an Indian newspaper it said that I have been fasting for the past 24 years. That was an error from the newspaper’s part. In fact, I was fasting for the past 30 years,” he explained. 

Cleopatra has been living and working in Gudaibiya for more than 30 years now.