This year, I introduced the concept of fasting to my kids. Fatini, age 6, started fasting on her own will for half day since day one of Ramadhan. She woke up early to eat with eyes half closed. I didn’t really wake her early, just early enough such that the sun has not risen.
For the first time she didn’t have the early breakfast today. I warned her that if she didn’t wake up to eat, she can’t fast today and she cried her stubborn cry saying she wanted to fast. On top of that she said, she wanted to do it full day today. So, let’s see …She has a good courage and a good understanding. It doesn’t matter if she couldn’t pull it through. I thought it would be difficult to teach them about fasting, surprisingly everything goes well.
Off course Fatini asked me why we fast. It’s difficult for me to reason on religious basis with her because of her string of why’s. So I told her about the poor people who do not have food to eat and have to suffer hunger all day long. And that she will get new dresses and new toys on HariRaya. That make her happy enough and looking forward to HariRaya.
Even though meals are simple every night (my cooking) but it’s been a lovely time to have all sitting at the table for the fast breaking every evening. My husband and I made sure we go home early everyday for this special time.
Fatini and Emir also like going to the small mosque nearby every night because of the playground and that they can meet and play with new friends since there are quite a few kids coming to the mosque as well. They don’t pray but their presence add cheers to the night.
