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Emirati expatriate Vinod Nambiar is another non-Muslim resident who has fasted for the past 22 years in solidarity with the country’s large Muslim population.
His hunger strike dates back to 2001, when he was working in Malapuram, India (a village in the Thanjavur district of Kerala state).
“Malalapuram has a large Muslim population. Back then, I didn’t know much about Ramadan, how important it was, what it meant. But I was a people person and I loved being part of the community there. The residents of that place It’s austere. It’s a humble life and I try to fit in seamlessly with everyone.”
Nambiar initially didn’t realize that fasting Muslims don’t eat anything from dawn to dusk, and therefore go to the villages every day during Ramadan to forage for food.
“But everything was closed; there was no food. Some people found out that I used to get hungry at lunchtime, and one guy even invited me to his house during Ramadan to give me food while they were fasting. But I was obviously very reluctant to go there because I know the whole family is fasting. It is [a] good gesture. But I can’t eat when they don’t eat. So I’m always hungry. “
But what he had to do because of his situation soon became a habit that would stay with Nambiar for the rest of his life.
“I gradually came to appreciate the essence of Ramadan customs and [they] actually expressed. I also befriended the imam of a local mosque, where I went every night for iftar after a long day of fasting. He inspired me a lot. “
“At night, he used to go to the village to give religious sermons, and I talked with him about our culture and religious harmony because I was a radio host before. We were really a good team. Then, I changed jobs, but Over the years I have been in touch with the Imam who originally inspired me. He would share with me the benefits of fasting [for] For our health, I continued fasting for a full 30 days. “
When Nambiar came to the UAE in 2004, he didn’t abandon a tradition he’d absorbed deeply – one he followed from the bottom of his heart.
“Here I started working with Emirates Exchange. My wife also encouraged me to continue fasting. Then I [became] involve [with] The company’s CSR initiative and began spearheading the program.As part of this, I would go to labor camps, sit down and educate the workers about [not consuming] tobacco, [along with] Teach them the importance of financial literacy. I also started taking my kids to these events. “
“I don’t want to force my kids to do anything; if at some point they feel that fasting is a good habit, they accept it themselves. For me, it comes from the heart; no one forces me to do anything thing, that’s why I feel like it’s stuck with me all these years,” said the father-of-two.
Nambiar, now known among various organizations in the UAE for his traditional vision of the good life, noted that he can now even go a whole day without eating without feeling tired.
“The only time I can’t fast is probably the three or four days when I have to travel. I never [feel] exhausted. [For the] Last year and a half, I have been [practicing] The same goes for intermittent fasting. My wife and I do intermittent fasting for 16 hours.
We live only on water. I feel like I can easily go 24 hours without food; I’ve gained more energy over the years because of my practice. “
“During Ramadan, I mostly choose labor camps to end my fast. I have also taken my office managers to many of these places. I feel strongly that one must try to do things differently in one’s life; it gives You bring great satisfaction,” said the Indian expatriate.
Copyright © 2022 Khaleej Times. all rights reserved. Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndicate Information).
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