Young Hearts Embrace Ramadan: Lucknow Children Observe Their First Fast with Devotion
In the historic city of Lucknow, the holy month of Ramadan has brought forth a beautiful display of youthful faith and determination. Children as young as six years old are participating in fasting rituals, marking significant spiritual milestones with their families.
Preparing with Anticipation and Planning
Faizia Kidwai, a bright 10-year-old student at Loreto Convent, had been eagerly awaiting Ramadan for weeks. With careful preparation, she arranged her scarf and prayer mat neatly beside her bed and insisted on setting her own alarm for Sehri, the essential pre-dawn meal. "I am very happy to keep my first roza. I believe that Allah will reward me and fulfil my duas," expressed the young rozedaar with a proud smile after joining her family at the breakfast table.
Her mother, Uzma Kidwai, shared insights into Faizia's thoughtful preparation. "She has been planning this for weeks. She would ask me at night what time the sehri would be and whether she could help set the table. I could see how important this first roza was for her."
Experiencing the Ritual with Family Support
Alia Sallaudhin, an 11-year-old resident of Bangla Bazaar, also observed her first roza on Friday, describing the experience as genuinely exciting. Her mother, Yasmeen Sallaudhin, noted that Alia had been watching family members fast for years, always curious about the feeling of completing an entire day without food or water. Throughout the day, Alia engaged in the ritual by reciting short prayers, reading simple duas, and assisting her mother with small household chores.
When asked about her favorite dish at iftar, the meal to break the fast, Alia giggled and replied, "Fruit-chaat."
Emotional Connections and Family Traditions
For 11-year-old Rizik Khan, the first roza carried profound emotional significance. He traveled from Varanasi to Lucknow to stay at his aunt's house specifically for this purpose. "His wish was to observe his first fast in the loving memory of his grandfather," explained his father, Azeem Khan, who works as an advocate.
Azeem expressed confidence in his son's ability to complete the fast, stating, "Rizik has always been a very patient child. We were not worried about him completing the fast because he understands its importance."
Younger Siblings Inspired by Example
The spirit of fasting even inspired younger children in the community. Eight-year-old Ayeza Talib surprised her family by insisting on keeping her first fast, which she completed with remarkable enthusiasm despite her young age. Her determination inspired her six-year-old sister, Ashmira, to observe a partial fast for several hours.
Their mother, Nazia Talib, described the scene with pride: "Both the sisters woke up early for the sehri, offered prayers for the ritual and were behaving like they have achieved such a huge accomplishment." The day became even more memorable for Ayeza when her grandmother and aunt gifted her money as a token of appreciation for her devotion.
Expressing her joy and future aspirations, Ayeza said, "Now I will try to fast again. I made a lot of duas to have my own barbie house."
These stories from Lucknow highlight how children are embracing Ramadan with genuine enthusiasm, supported by their families in observing this important religious practice. The combination of youthful determination, family traditions, and spiritual growth creates a heartwarming narrative of faith passing from one generation to the next during this sacred month.
