COMMENT | I was raised in an Indian-Muslim community in Penang where the month of Ramadan is loved and celebrated.

In my community, fasting is extremely important to the faith. Even if one is exempted from fasting due to being underaged, too old, or suffering from illness, those who still chose to fast will be treated like a champ.

I had cousins as young as four and five years old who would fast for an entire month in Ramadan. Their proud parents and grandparents would be over the moon, announcing their accomplishments to every member of the family.

Unlike them, I was not good at fasting.