Puasa For A Day

Selamat Hary Raya, maaf zahir dan batin!

Don't fret, I haven't adopted any new religion. I'm still the Apatheist who loves pork XP However, in light of recent incidents that have happened which have gotten a lot of media attention, I probably shouldn't be so blatant =/ Despite the whole 1Malaysia thing, I think Malaysia still lacks behind in terms of racial tolerance, additional thanks to the politicians for making it an even bigger issue *rolls eyes*

According to the theory of in-group-out-group bias, it is easy to understand why some people say the things they say or do the things they do. However, I believe that this form of bias like any other can be overcome or minimized if both groups were to experience walking in each other's shoes and understanding each other.

That brings me to why I did what I did this Ramadan, which was accepting a challenge from a Malay colleague to fast for a day. Though to be honest, I was initially tempted by the prospect of being treated to a yummy break-fast meal *haha* XD Nonetheless, I managed to survived fasting through the day with no food or water. I woke up at 5am that day to have breakfast and didn't eat nor drink till 7.30pm. It wasn't too hard not to eat or feel tempted to eat throughout the day. I even browsed food blogs and sat through lunch with two colleagues eating pork noodles in front of me *LOL* However, the fact that I couldn't even drink a sip of water during the day really tested my perseverance. By 4.30pm in the evening, I thought I would die from thirst and was starting to feel drowsy because I skipped lunch. Come 6.30pm when my colleague finally said we could head to the restaurant where we will be breaking fast, I couldn't be more glad =D

When the break-fast prayers went off, I took my first bite of sweet date for the first time. It tasted better than I expected and the first sip of liquid other than my own saliva since 5.45am was like heaven. I shared a meal with 3 of my Malay colleagues in an Arab restaurant full of Muslims and was totally enjoying myself chomping down the food, talking about everything including my experience and the reason behind fasting.

It felt really good to have successfully fasted, and I totally understand what Muslims have to go through now. I really respect all the Muslims who truly fast for the right reasons *SALUTE!* And I know they would have been proud of me for what I've done just like my 3 Malay colleagues too =D By going through what they go through, I now understand them a little more and am happy for that =) For all those who have never tried fasting, let me tell you now that you will never know how it feels like until you have gone through it yourself. There is no way of describing the sort of hardship one goes through with no water or food when it is so readily available all around us.

Not long after my fasting experience, I came across this Joseph Germani's video which talks about his experience of fasting for a day as well during this Ramadan month.

I believe my thoughts on my experience and his are quite similar and that if more people are willing to put themselves in another's situation, there will definitely be a lot more understanding and tolerance of each other's culture and religion. The world will no doubt be a much better place if everyone strive towards a mutual understanding =)

PEACE OUT!