Bonding time: Gurjit (far right) with his classmates at an iftar event.
WHAT started as an invitation to fast for a day during the recent Ramadan turned into a month-long experience for me.
It all began when my Muslim roommate half-jokingly said, “Come, let’s fast together for a day.”
I thought, why not take on the challenge? I was also curious to experience what he would go through for the entire month.
My fasting day started early with sahur, the predawn meal. I had three dates, a cup of Milo, biscuits, and plenty of water.
Surprisingly, the day went well – I mostly just felt thirsty. The closer it got to breaking fast, the thirstier I became. After buying dinner, I sat down with my friends, excited to break fast. But first, we had to wait for the Quran recitation and the call to Maghrib prayers.
With all the patience I could muster, I waited a few more minutes. Finally, when the call to Maghrib echoed, I broke my fast. It was incredible how a simple meal could feel so satisfying after a day of fasting.
That day made me deeply appreciative of food. Every bite I took felt different – almost sacred. I couldn’t help but think about the less fortunate, who may struggle to have even one meal a day.
With that thought in mind, I decided to fast again the next day. Days turned into weeks, and before I knew it, an entire month had passed.
The days flew by faster than I expected. One thing I quickly learnt was that a good fast begins with a nutritious sahur.
While dates and biscuits filled me up in the morning, they didn’t provide enough energy to get through a busy day. So, I switched to rice. Drinking plenty of water became essential too.
At one point, I was puzzled watching my Muslim friends play badminton during fasting hours. How did they have the energy for it? Curious, I gave it a try.
The first time was rough – I was thirsty, tired, and struggling. But the second time was different. I had more energy and felt more refreshed.
I soon noticed that fasting had an interesting effect on me: while I initially felt tired, sluggish and easily irritable – especially when hunger and thirst kicked in – as the days wore on, I felt more energised and refreshed.
Without constantly thinking about food, I found myself more focused on activities such as studying, reading, or just spending time with friends.
My mind felt fresher and clearer, and emotionally, I became more patient and calm. It was a change I hadn’t expected, and it made the experience even more meaningful.
My non-fasting friends often asked: “Do you have enough energy?” The answer was a resounding yes.
The key, as I discovered, was a fulfilling sahur.
Another question I frequently got was, “Don’t you get hungry?” I did, but honestly, it wasn’t the hunger that bothered me. Thirst was the bigger challenge. But most of the time, I didn’t even notice the hunger or thirst because my mind was occupied with work and study.
A key part of Ramadan is charity, where Muslims are encouraged to give back through community service.
I joined my college’s mass bubur lambuk event. Bubur lambuk is a traditional Malaysian spiced rice porridge often cooked and shared during Ramadan. We stirred huge pots, chopped vegetables, and packed the porridge into containers.
Later, we distributed it to fellow students and gathered for a big iftar (breaking of the fast) in the college field.
Sharing this moment with classmates brought us closer and strengthened our bonds, adding another layer to the Ramadan journey that went beyond fasting.
Another thing that stood out during the month was how people from different races and backgrounds came together to support one another.
Many non-Muslim friends helped prepare food for iftar, joined charity drives, and respected fasting hours.
Events like the porridge-making session were filled with students of all races working side by side, laughing and sharing stories. It highlighted the beautiful unity we have in Malaysia, where respect and kindness cross cultural and religious boundaries. Experiencing this sense of community made the journey even more heartwarming.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth-sailing. I won’t lie – I broke my fast for a total of five days, struggling to adjust to my usual routine. But I accept that growth doesn’t happen without a few bumps along the way. It was a lesson in self-compassion and persistence.
Temptations during fasting were also inevitable, especially when I was alone, but that was when I reminded myself of my purpose.
Personally, I was not bothered when others ate in front of me. Still, my friends often apologised, and I reassured them with a smile, saying, “It’s okay.”
Fasting not only taught me self-discipline and how to overcome temptations, but also gave me space for self-reflection.
It made me more appreciative of the things I often took for granted – not just food, but also a roof over my head and pocket money. It also deepened my understanding of the practices my Muslim friends observe each year.
In addition, I learnt about the power of intention (niat). If your niat for the day and for fasting is sincere and positive, everything seems to fall into place.
Having a positive mindset
really does make a difference – it shapes how you experience the fast and leads to a more fulfilling journey.
So, will I fast again? Absolutely.
In fact, I’m already planning to take on the challenge again next year. It’s a journey I look forward to repeating – not just for the fasting itself, but for all the lessons it continues to teach me about patience, empathy, and personal growth.
Gurjit, 19, a student in Pahang, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 Imagine you have the opportunity to speak to Gurjit. Based on the article, create a list of questions you’d ask him about his fasting experience.
Then, role-play the conversation with a partner. One student will play Gurjit, and the other will ask the questions.
2 Describe a time you tried something new that had a transformative effect on you.
Write a short reflection and share it with your friends in small groups or pairs.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
