Ramadhan

So Ramadan is coming up. Ramadan is when Muslims fast from sunup to sundown every day for a month. The fast only includes only those who are able (excluding the elderly, pregnant, sick, females on their cycle, young children, etc). But for those who can fast, it is a time to strengthen one’s religion, and to feel the hunger of those who are less fortunate. This fast starts Monday.

Muslims aren’t required to fast until we hit puberty, but I’ve always been eager about Ramadan. When I was too young, I chose something to give up instead (like candy). Now that I am old enough, this month is exciting. Each year I make the intentions of having a better fast and strengthening my religious practices, not just for one month, but for the whole year. Each year I say it will be different, but this year I really believe it will be.

It seems as though each year brings me a challenge. One year, it was my lady cycle-which really made me upset because I wanted to fast. Another year, it was P.E. and I sometimes had to break my fast with a little water because of participating in strenuous exercise (which is okay, but I avoided as much as possible). Another year, it was band, which kept me from fasting completely. With Ramadan being based on the lunar calender, it moves eleven days earlier each year, meaning band will be an obstacle yet again. Now is the time to make a difficult decision. Will I continue band?