The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Fostering bond of brotherhood

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Fostering bond of brotherhood

N.J. Nair

SPIRIT OF THE TIMES: It is fasting time for Muslims the world over.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ramzan is becoming a secular festival in the State. The number of non-Muslims who observe fast during the holy month of Ramzan has been steadily growing. Some take it as a religious sacrament while others do it on purely health grounds.

Many non-Muslims take it as a lesson in fostering religious amity and practising abstinence. G. Gopalakrishnan, an architect who has designed 76 mosques, four Christian churches and a temple in the State; Congress leader and Nattika MLA T.N. Prathapan; and Communist Marxist Party leader C.P. John are among the prominent persons who observe fast during the season.

Mr. Gopalakrishnan has been observing fast during Ramzan for several years now. "First, I observed fast for a week, then for a fortnight and gradually for a month. It increases one's will power and helps to understand the woes of hunger and poverty," he says.

While on fast, Mr. Gopalakrishnan does not remain idle; he visits worksites and keeps himself busy. Now, he plans to form an organisation, Universal Brotherhood, for communal amity along with his friends.

Mr. Prathapan has been observing fast regularly for the past 13 years.

Mr. John, who is also a proponent of naturopathy, took to the practice a decade ago but has not been a stickler to the core, mainly on health grounds. "A majority of my school and college mates were Muslims. When they went on fast during Ramzan, I emulated them and have since imbibed the habit years ago. In due course, I realised the significance of the practice, even electing to do it more stringently."

"It helps people to be more tolerant and gives the power to resist the temptations of worldly life. If one is able to survive the test of hunger and weariness for a month and involve himself in daily chores with renewed vigour, it would strengthen the mind and cleanse the body," Mr. Prathapan says.

After breaking fast, Mr Prathapan normally eats cooked food. "However, this year onwards, I will take only fruits and vegetables. My family too has realised the virtue of observing fast during the season, and my wife, Rema, joins in.

"After Ramzan, I propose to undergo the `vrutham' for a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Thereafter, it would be time for Lent prior to visiting Velankanni," he says.

As for Mr. John, fasting comes to him naturally. "Keeping oneself away from food is an integral part of naturopathy. During the Nineties, it was a practice for me to fast during the Ramzan season too," he says.

According to Mr John, Muslim organisations now invite members of other communities for Iftar parties. This has lent a secular colour to the festival. Christmas and Onam too have undergone the same transition, he says.

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