My Ramadan Fast, Day 15
I wrote before that I am fasting for the duration of Ramadan in solidarity with the people of Gaza who have been the victims of a brutal extermination campaign since October, 2023. I thought I’d make a quick post to talk about the experience so far.
The first thing I will say is that because I am not doing this for religious reasons, I decided from the start to keep it very simple and not follow the “letter of the law”. This means that despite the varying times of sunrise and sunset, I have only abstained from eating or drinking between 7:30AM EST and 7:30PM EST. I have breakfast and two cups of coffee before 7:30AM, and (somewhere I have room for improvement) I eat like a wild animal from 7:30PM until bedtime, which seems to get later and later.
The second thing I will say is that it’s 12:41 PM EST and I am really hungry (and thirsty) right now. I do pilates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, so those days are usually a little bit harder than the others because of the extra calorie expenditure. That being said, I’m glad it’s a little challenging. I was actually concerned that it would be a lot easier and would feel like less of a sacrifice.
Every time I notice my hunger or thirst I imagine being on the verge of famine in Gaza and not having easy access to clean water, food, medicine, or shelter, with the constant threat of death or maiming of myself or my family hanging over my head. I know that I can’t begin to imagine the trauma every person in Gaza has been experiencing for almost six months. Although it has gotten easier I have a hard time concentrating during the day and I find myself watching the clock obsessively.
On a happier note the news of a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire today was great news, I only hope it doesn’t dampen the interest of the masses who are experiencing a burgeoning awakening to the Palestinian cause. I’m ashamed that my country abstained from the vote, but at least we didn’t veto it a fourth time.