The intense summer heat in the capital failed to deter Misha Yunus, a 13-year-old Indian boy, from observing his first-ever fast here at the weekend. Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is also an occasion when parents encourage their young children to start fasting. Members of the Indian and Pakistani communities are hosting Iftar parties in Riyadh to celebrate the first-time fasting experience of their children. Close relatives and friends are invited to attend Roza-kushai, a term used to describe an Iftar party hosted to honor young fasting children. Fasting in Ramadan, the third pillar of Islam, is obligatory upon children who have reached the age of maturity (puberty). The age of maturity is usually 14 for boys and 12 for girls and parents encourage their children to fast so that when they grow up they will be steadfast in observing this important religious ritual. Muhammad Yunus and his wife Arshia encouraged Misha, who is also memorizing the Noble Qur'an, to experience fasting during this Ramadan. They organized Misha's Roza-kushai by inviting their friends and relatives and the Iftar party was organized at an istraha (rest house) on the northern outskirts of Riyadh, where there are a number of such places. Saudi Gazette learnt that most of these istrahas are fully booked in Ramadan for get-togethers at Iftar time or for parents celebrating the first-time fasting experience of their children. Misha said he was quite comfortable fasting for the first time. “Initially I was not comfortable with the idea of going without water for 16 hours or so. But my parents prodded me and Alhamdolillah I did it without any problems,” Misha told Saudi Gazette. “It is Allah's order, and we have to obey Him,” he said. But as the day progressed, Misha felt very hungry and waited and waited for Iftar time. “When I broke my fast, I drank so much water that I couldn't eat much,” he said. “Inshallah,” Misha said when asked whether he will fast next year as well. Misha's Roza-kushai was a curious moment for Yunus and his wife since they have achieved something special in their lives. They became proud parents because Misha has not only obeyed their instructions by abstaining from food and drinks but was also well behaved throughout the day. Some believe that fasting is a difficult task for young children, particularly when Ramadan arrives during the hot summer season. It is human nature to think that growing children will face difficulty while fasting because of their craving for food, candy and snacks between meals. It is the parents' responsibility to determine whether their children are ready to fast because they are aware of their children's health and eating habits. However, according to doctors the best practice for parents is to encourage their children to fast when they are between seven and nine years old. Parents should introduce fasting gradually by asking their children to fast for a few hours in the morning. “In the beginning, young children can be encouraged to fast until 10 A.M. and the time can then be gradually extended until Dhuhr and Asr prayers and finally when the child attains puberty he/she will understand that Maghreb prayer is the time for breaking fast,” said Dr. Misbahur Rahman, a long-time medical practitioner in the capital. Medically-speaking a 10-year-old child can manage to cope with the pangs of hunger and thirst, he said.
