'I fast to know how people with little food survive'

Asma Khalid Yousuf Baker, a 30-year-old Emirati, is an accomplished visual artist and poet of determination. Her artwork - a beautiful flower - is the featured cover for a credit card box of a UAE bank. She was also one of the performers at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games held recently in Abu Dhabi.
These recognitions are a testament that Asma is really good in what she does. But more than her accomplishments, she is using her artistic talents to promote the values of inclusivity not just in the UAE but around the world. And during the holy month, she is more determined to use her talent to impart the essence of Ramadan.
"I'm an artist and a poet and my artworks and poems are the best way I can share the message of Ramadan," she told Khaleej Times. One of the messages that Asma wants to promote is the value of fasting and living in solidarity with people who have meagre resources.
Her daily routine during Ramadan starts at 3am to eat Suhoor. Then, she offers her morning prayers and reads passages from the Holy Quran. She goes back to sleep for some time before heading out for work at 9am at Mawaheb from Beautiful People, a local art studio for people of determination. She goes back home to rest in the afternoon and then attends piano lessons before ending her day's fast.
 "I started fasting at an early age of 10, and I have been doing this for 20 years now. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is the duty of every able Muslim to fast. But my personal reason for fasting is to know how some people in world live with little or no food. I offer my fasting for them as I want to know how they survive," she said.
Asma also wants to advance the welfare of people of determination. At the recent Special Olympics World Games, she recited a poem promoting inclusivity in front of thousands of special athletes and spectators from 190 countries. She talked about hope and the future of people with special needs and told people that "we're all different but still the same and this (Special Olympics) is a time for everyone to shine".
angel@khaleejtimes.com
(This column will feature a fasting person of determination, who will take us through the joys and challenges of fasting during Ramadan. Watch this space every Tuesday during the holy month to get to know these champions, who are bound to inspire you with their determination.)