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Ramadan through the eyes of a child

Dubai - Hailing from Egypt, Aboulkhair fasted 25 full days of Ramadan last year and is determined to complete the full month this year.

The feeling of hunger and fatigue on a school day does not stop Rouaa Aboulkhair, 10, from abstaining from food and water during Ramadan. 
Hailing from Egypt, Aboulkhair fasted 25 full days of Ramadan last year and is determined to complete the full month this year. "I see mom and dad fast, so I do it too. It teaches us patience and tolerance," said the 4th grader at Providence English Private School. 
Aboulkhair was impacted by the idea of fasting three years ago when she saw her cousins, close to her age, perform the practice. Her mother encouraged her to start fasting gradually until afternoon before going on a full day last year. 
"I got used to it quickly. I sometimes feel tired, but I tolerate it and that's the aim," said Aboulkhair.
She added that she tries to encourage her classmates to fast too. "I don't get affected much by seeing others eat, but I try to encourage them to fast because we aren't that young anymore. The earlier you start fasting, the easier it becomes." 
A typical day in Ramadan for Aboulkhair involves going to school from 8:00am to 12:45pm, then going home for a nap before waking up for Iftar.
"I love breaking my fast on the traditional Khoshaf - dried fruit compote. It feels refreshing after a long day," said Aboulkhair.
After Iftar, she divides her time between studying and watching Ramadan series until 10pm. She wakes up again at 2am for Suhoor.
"My favorite part of Ramadan is the gathering. I love to sit down with the family and watch the Ramadan shows on TV." 
While her 6-year-old sister hasn't started fasting yet, Aboulkhair said she's started to ask her questions. "We tell her that we fast because it's a pillar of Islam and it allows us to feel the pain of people in need who don't have access to food like we do." 
For Aboulkhair, this year's Ramadan is only the start of making fasting a habit for the rest of her life.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com