THE holy month of Ramadan is as attractive to children as it is for everyone. The whole atmosphere at home is different in this month. The sounds of athan (callings for prayers) attract children’s attention to understand the significance of this month.
The smell of cooking during the day and the scene of the family gathering around the iftar (fast breaking) table waiting for the maghreb (sunset) stuck in children’s minds.
When children grow up seeing their parents fasting during Ramadan makes them wonder and want to try even if they do not have to fast yet. Fasting is not compulsory for children until puberty, but some kids take it upon themselves to follow their parents in the saum (fasting).
Sawsan Gasim, a 12-year-old seventh grader, said that she has fasted since she was in first grade.
“I used to feel hungry when I started fasting, however, it was a pleasant experience for me and I really enjoyed it,” she said.
Gasim and children her age are capable of knowing the purpose of fasting.
“We fast thirty days to share the feeling of hunger that poor people feel the whole year and to thank God for the blessing we are living,” she said, adding that she does not feel that it is difficult to fast when she is at school.
“Parents must encourage their children by giving them a reward if they fast and, most important, they gain good deeds (hasanat) from God,” said Amal, a teacher of religious education teacher. “The mother can promise her children to cook their favorite dish for breakfast if they could continue the rest of the day for fasting.”
During the day, children could keep themselves busy to bear fasting. “In weekdays, they spent most of the day at school. At weekends they can spend the days playing,” she said.
Sarah Mohamed, a 32-year-old mother of two girls, an 11-year-old and six-year-old, who both started fasting at a young age.
“My husband and I have encouraged our eldest daughter to fast since she was eight years old,” she said. “Now she (11-year-old Widad) fasts the whole month.”
On the other hand, some parents discourage their children from fasting because they think they are too young for fasting.
“My children, who are ten and six years old, do not fast and I do not ask them too,” said Hamid Abdullah. “I think they are too young to fast and cannot handle the hunger, especially during school days.”
It is better to begin phasing in fasting at the age of seven, which is the same year that children begin praying. Some children fast until noon and then later extend it to fasting the whole day until maghreb. Some parents prefer their children start their fast after having their lunch meal until maghreb.
“Even if the mother sees her child hiding food and drink when the child is supposed to be fasting, she should not confront him or her,” Amal said. “She should just say, ‘Oops I think you forgot that you are fasting but now you can continue your fasting’ to make the child feel more responsible and confident that he or she can make it and eventually fast the whole day.”