Youngsters finding it difficult to manage rozas with their hectic lives

Several community youth in Mumbai are choosing not to observe rozas as they feel it affects their busy routines.

While Amaan Ahmed’s parents and his two older brothers have been waking up early for sehri, the meal taken before sunrise during the month of Ramzan that began on July 11, the 19-year-old has not been joining them.

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The Jogeshwari resident has not observed rozas for the last two years as he finds it difficult to fast while studying and interning as a journalist.

Several community youth in the city are choosing not to observe rozas as they feel it affects their busy routines.

“It is very difficult to fast when I have to attend college in the morning and then go for work. Two years ago, the doctor had advised me not to fast for long hours because I was losing weight. But this time, I myself decided not to observe rozas, so that I am not low on energy while working,” said Ahmed, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Mass Media degree while also interning with a media house.

“My parents do not have any problem with my decision as they want me to be healthy. I have several other Muslim friends who do not fast during Ramzan,” he said.

Taslim Sheikh, 21, who teaches differently-abled students at a centre in Santacruz, observes rozas only on a few days during the month based on convenience.

“I fast only when it is possible for me. While I have not observed roza so far this Ramzan, I will definitely observe the bada rozas (important days of fasting) towards the end of the month,” said the Bandra resident.

But the trend of skipping rozas is not too common in the community, according to some members.

“There may be a few who do not observe rozas, but usually everyone does. I know many young people who observe rozas despite leading very hectic lives,” said Aamir Idrisi, president of Association of Muslim Professionals, which is a youth-based community organisation.

While some people may be giving rozas a miss, several children have been observing the daylong fasts even though it is not compulsory for them to do so.

Ten-year-old Huda Memon, a Mira Road resident, has been getting up at 4:30 am since the beginning of Ramzan to have sehri, after which she does not eat or even drink water till sunset.

“I like observing rozas because I feel it will bring me a lot of good. Fasting doesn’t affect my studies. I even stop watching television during the period so that I can have time for namaaz,” said this student of Class 5, who has been observing the fast in the holy month ever since she was six-years-old.