Publish date21 Jul 2014 - 11:35
Story Code : 164124

Hindus Observe Ramadan Fasting

By Shuriah Niazi
Every year, as India Muslim prepare for observing Ramadan, many Hindus share these preparations to partake in the fasting of the holy month that holds special significance not only for Muslims but also for many Hindus.
Hindus Observe Ramadan Fasting


“I have been keeping fast during Ramadan for the last 14 years. It gives me inner strength,” Sunil Shrivastava of Vidisha town in central India told OnIslam.net.

“I was inspired by the devotion of one of my Muslim friends, who is a devout Muslim. I thought I should observe fast for at least one day in solidarity with my friend. But after fasting for a day, I felt so good that I have started fasting regularly during the holy month.”

He further said that his family is not opposed to his decision and they support him.

For Mehul Kumar, resident of Raisen district in central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Ramadan is something which taught him discipline.

He started observing fast almost nine years back, when he was not keeping well and a Muslim imam suggested him to keep fast to remain healthy.

“I kept fast for few days during Ramadan for the first time and, instead of feeling hungry and low, I was able to find my inner strength. And then it became a regular feature for me,” he told OnIslam.net.

“For the last three years, I have been observing fast throughout the month.”

Even his son, who is 17, has started keeping fast.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started this year on Sunday, June 29, in Malawi.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

The sick and those traveling are exempt from fasting especially if it poses health risks.

In Ramadan, Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint, good deeds and charity to the poor.

This year more than 150 Hindu prisoners in Tihar Jail of Delhi are also keeping fast, along with Muslim inmates.

These Hindu prisoners decided to keep fast from the first day and would continue till the last day of the holy month, when the Eid festival would be celebrated.

Shared Iftar

For the majority Hindu community in India, Ramadan is associated with delicious and tasty food items that they relish with their Muslim friends when the latter break their daylong fast.

Over the years, the number of people keeping fast with Muslims has been increasing.

There are many Hindus, who keep fast on four Fridays of Ramadan and this number increases on the last Friday of the month, which Muslims in India consider very auspicious.

“I think it is the time to exercise self-restraint,” said Anil Tiwari, who has been observing fast for the last 11 years on some days of Ramadan along with his wife Anita.

“During this month, we understand the importance of food and also think about the poor people who often have to go without food,” Tiwari added.

Moreover, special iftar parties are organized annually by Hindus for the Muslims during Ramadan in which different organizations and individuals participate every year.

“We also want to become a part of month long Ramadan. That is why we organize iftar parties. From VIPs to common people, everyone is invited for these parties,” said Surendra Nath Singh, a local politician in Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh.

During the election time, political parties and politicians host very grand iftar parties in order to gain the support and votes of the Muslim community.

Few years back, the country’s highest Islamic seminary Darool Uloom Deoband even issued a fatwa (decree) against these political iftars and termed them anti-Islamic. They even asked the Muslims not to attend them.

In the last few years, iftar has become a grand affair and for many Hindus it has become a part of their annual calendar.

Arranging iftars in mosques is also very common among Muslims of India.

At many places even rich Hindus arrange iftar meals for the Muslims and send delicious food items to the mosques for iftar parties.

“For us this tradition has been going on for years. Our father used to send food items to the mosques during Ramadan,” says Akshat Jain, whose family has been sending iftar meals to mosques for many years.

“Now we are continuing this tradition so that those who observe fast can enjoy them.”
/SR
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