Fasting Revisited

Fasting is part of the web of life in Pakistan. It's a natural topic to discuss because the Muslims have their Ramadan month of fasting and we Christians have Lent. Christians in Pakistan are deeply influenced by the Muslim way of fasting from sunrise to sunset.

Sr Rebecca with Pakistani friends

Prior to Lent I attended an evening seminar in our Parish on "Fasting and Spirituality." The lecturer emphasised the importance of experiencing the suffering and weakness of Jesus in some way, during this Season. After the talk there was an hour given for questions and all were caught with 'opening and breaking the fast!' and yet fasting for most of our people is their normal way of life, because of poverty.

During Lent one is always asked here in Pakistan, "Are you fasting today?" People fast and at evening, as the sun sets, families gather to pray and 'break the fast.' One could write it off as "Islamic" influence, but when I look at its impact on the Christian community, I salute it! Even though our Lenten liturgy keeps reminding us that we are 'not to let our right hand know what our left hand is doing', still I find the question: "are you fasting today?" very challenging.

Throughout my years in Pakistan, I have grown to appreciate these seasons: Ramadan and Lent. They are sacred moments for the world. Some years ago before the break out of recent wars, one always felt safe here in Pakistan during Ramadan, because it was the norm not to have violence. Now, Rachel of the Bible weeps for her children who are being slain daily.

When our Churches and schools were burnt by the mob because of the cartoon issue, the only weapon we Christians had was to declare a fast. This was the power that united and strengthened us through the worst persecution the Church in Pakistan ever suffered, which was rated equal to the persecutions of the Early Church.

Ramadan is a movable season because the Islamic calendar differs from the Western one. We Christians close our Lenten fast with Easter, whereas the Muslims do so with Eid-ul-Fitr (Festival of Breaking). Ramadan time is a go-slow time in Pakistan in every stream of life, but in the Women's Jail where I work, work decreases while prayer is accelerated. Women and children are absorbed in reading and reciting the Holy Qu'ran. For those who are illiterate, special care is given to them, to bring them on board. I see how this rhythm of fasting and prayer stills the soul of those most disturbed in prison and is the best tonic of all.
Eid-ul-Fitr is declared by the sighting of the moon and this is a special night called Chand Rath. I visited the Jail ten days prior to this night and met Rubina, the computer teacher, who was hugging everybody and was so excited receiving blessings from all. She asked me to pray for her as she was going to do Itiqaf and warned me to come to her home to welcome her out of Itiqaf, when the moon would be sighted! Itiqaf is a type of Retreat done at home, a withdrawal from life for 10 days, prior to the Chand Rath. She would spend these last 10 days and nights of Ramadan fasting and praying and not be disturbed by anybody, except be visited by her mother and sister who took meals to her before sunrise and after sunset.

A copy of the Holy Qu'ran

As everyone in the jail rejoiced with her and sent her off with blessings I saw that there was no question asked about taking time off from work! It seems to be so integrated into life, as all understood and saw it would be a great spiritual blessing for Rubina, her family and the jail! Moving through the jail I saw in the area where the prisoners live, a section getting 'cut off' for Saima who was preparing for her Itiqaf. Later I visited our Muslim neighbour and there I found their daughter, who is a ninth grade student, making the same choice!

As the moon was sighted, their families and friends came with garlands and decorated and welcomed the three retreatants, after spending the 10 nights awake, facing the darkness of the night alone, armored with the Holy Qu'ran. I sat with Rubina and Saima in the Jail and reflected with them on their experience. They related that they fasted all day, and prayed on the hour, through the night. They were served breakfast before sunrise and slept then until 11:00am, as it was time for prayer again.

During this time Rubina read the Holy Qu'ran three times and experienced no fear in the dark of night. She said it was a time totally guaranteed that Allah would accept all prayers and whatever one asked of Allah, would be granted. Saima was not able to read the Qu'ran but recited the 99 Names of Allah over and over and prayed for freedom for herself, all the prisoners and also prayed for the world.
Both felt the presence and nearness of Allah and cried experiencing the presence of Allah so close to them. They felt they were 'reborn' and knew that Allah had forgiven them all their sins. Both felt Allah saying to them: 'you are pure, clean, washed and free from all sin.' There was deep peace, joy and a sense of newness radiating from them as they shared with me this Itiqaf desert experience of their lives.

Easter comes to all of us via different routes in life. This meeting with Rubina and Saima was truly an Emmaus experience for me recalling: "Were not our hearts burning within us as we shared these stories along the Road."

Columban Sr Rebecca Conlon was assigned to Pakistan in 1990.

[Far East Magazine]