THEY HIDE BECAUSE THEY FAST
A TRUE STORY OF THE THREE SIBLINGS & FASTING
THE ‘CHALLENGE’
While others might take it for granted, some Baha’is find it ‘challenging’ to fast. This is not because of observing the fast itself but rather physical aspects of Baha’i fasting that tend to be misunderstood as Muslim fasting. The challenge is particularly true in the context of first-generation Chinese Baha’is in Malaysia. While others have no issue in their practice of fasting; Chinese Baha’is are facing prejudice by their own kind. And due to social complex, fasting of such kind is not welcome by Chinese community in general. More so, it’s a highly sensitive issue if it’s not handled wisely.
Whatever the situation might present, this had not stopped the three siblings (pictures)
from partaking their bounty.
THEIR BACKGROUND
They came from a typical Chinese family in Malaysia. All of them became Baha’is without the notice of their parents who were strict in their choice of religion. And Baha’i Faith was certainly not a favored religion for the parents. Though they were new souls, their love for Baha‘u’llah find no bounds. Being touched by the spirit of Baha, these young souls couldn’t resist observing the fast straight after their declaration. Undeterred, they fasted. Their first fasting was observed without the knowledge of their parents, which they couldn’t. They just couldn’t!
THIS WAS HOW THEY OBSERVED THEIR FAST:
Every morning during the fasting period, all of them woke up before sunrises. Their mother bought them food from the market to which the children have requested. Up to a point, the mother felt sort of weird why her children woke up so early in the morning! She didn’t know that her children’s intention was to observe fasting and neither could the wonderful young souls utter a word about it. They ate their food and the whole process went on with silence mode.
Quietly, they had their prayers and started their fast. Then, all of them went for their respective schools. At school, again they had to keep silent when friends queried them why they were not eating during break-time which they used to be. They couldn’t tell because the friends would think they are Muslims and if reported to their parents’ knowledge, their life would be in trouble. They managed to ‘escape’ somehow.
And in the afternoon, some went home; while others went for tuition. Those siblings who went for tuition faced no problem because they came back only after evening, just right for the time to break fast. In this case, they managed to ‘escape’ from the query of their parents. But this was not so happened for the ones who had no tuition class. They had to come home after class. Being ‘creative’, what they did was quickly ran into their bedroom and slept for the whole day until sunsets. What a poor soul who needs to withstand the 'persecution' of its unique kind! They would not wake up even though their mother asked them for lunch. With this 'method', they managed to ‘escape’ again.
Finally, when the sunsets, it was their hour of relief! One and all would happily gather and break their fast together! Again, it was observed in silence mode; but their heart bound with joy and happiness!
Above story happened about 3 years ago. Today, all the siblings were rather ease in observing their fast because their parents had finally come to trust the Baha’i Teachings after observing themselves the transformation of character happening in their children who joined the Baha’i activities and the good deeds that Baha’is had done to the community. Still, the siblings are dedicated servants of Baha‘u’llah, actively involving in four core activities.
(For further information, please contact Soon Kam: soonkam9@gmail.com)
"Whosoever experienceth the holy ecstasy of worship will refuse to barter such as act or any praise of God for all that existeth in the world. Fasting and obligatory prayer are as two wings to man’s life. Blessed be the one soareth with their aid in the heaven of the love of God, the Lord of all worlds." – Baha‘u’llah –
A TRUE STORY OF THE THREE SIBLINGS & FASTING
THE ‘CHALLENGE’
While others might take it for granted, some Baha’is find it ‘challenging’ to fast. This is not because of observing the fast itself but rather physical aspects of Baha’i fasting that tend to be misunderstood as Muslim fasting. The challenge is particularly true in the context of first-generation Chinese Baha’is in Malaysia. While others have no issue in their practice of fasting; Chinese Baha’is are facing prejudice by their own kind. And due to social complex, fasting of such kind is not welcome by Chinese community in general. More so, it’s a highly sensitive issue if it’s not handled wisely.
Whatever the situation might present, this had not stopped the three siblings (pictures)
from partaking their bounty.
THEIR BACKGROUND
They came from a typical Chinese family in Malaysia. All of them became Baha’is without the notice of their parents who were strict in their choice of religion. And Baha’i Faith was certainly not a favored religion for the parents. Though they were new souls, their love for Baha‘u’llah find no bounds. Being touched by the spirit of Baha, these young souls couldn’t resist observing the fast straight after their declaration. Undeterred, they fasted. Their first fasting was observed without the knowledge of their parents, which they couldn’t. They just couldn’t!
THIS WAS HOW THEY OBSERVED THEIR FAST:
Every morning during the fasting period, all of them woke up before sunrises. Their mother bought them food from the market to which the children have requested. Up to a point, the mother felt sort of weird why her children woke up so early in the morning! She didn’t know that her children’s intention was to observe fasting and neither could the wonderful young souls utter a word about it. They ate their food and the whole process went on with silence mode.
Quietly, they had their prayers and started their fast. Then, all of them went for their respective schools. At school, again they had to keep silent when friends queried them why they were not eating during break-time which they used to be. They couldn’t tell because the friends would think they are Muslims and if reported to their parents’ knowledge, their life would be in trouble. They managed to ‘escape’ somehow.
And in the afternoon, some went home; while others went for tuition. Those siblings who went for tuition faced no problem because they came back only after evening, just right for the time to break fast. In this case, they managed to ‘escape’ from the query of their parents. But this was not so happened for the ones who had no tuition class. They had to come home after class. Being ‘creative’, what they did was quickly ran into their bedroom and slept for the whole day until sunsets. What a poor soul who needs to withstand the 'persecution' of its unique kind! They would not wake up even though their mother asked them for lunch. With this 'method', they managed to ‘escape’ again.
Finally, when the sunsets, it was their hour of relief! One and all would happily gather and break their fast together! Again, it was observed in silence mode; but their heart bound with joy and happiness!
Above story happened about 3 years ago. Today, all the siblings were rather ease in observing their fast because their parents had finally come to trust the Baha’i Teachings after observing themselves the transformation of character happening in their children who joined the Baha’i activities and the good deeds that Baha’is had done to the community. Still, the siblings are dedicated servants of Baha‘u’llah, actively involving in four core activities.
(For further information, please contact Soon Kam: soonkam9@gmail.com)
"Whosoever experienceth the holy ecstasy of worship will refuse to barter such as act or any praise of God for all that existeth in the world. Fasting and obligatory prayer are as two wings to man’s life. Blessed be the one soareth with their aid in the heaven of the love of God, the Lord of all worlds." – Baha‘u’llah –
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