Fasting is about discipline, not control

I REFER to the recent announcement by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek that school canteens will remain operational during Ramadan.

Some argue that canteens should be closed to “respect” those who are fasting, but why? Fasting is a deeply personal act of worship, one that requires self-discipline, patience, and sincerity. If we truly want to instil these values in our children, shouldn’t we teach them to focus on their own commitments rather than policing others?

If children are fasting, they should learn to manage their own actions. If they feel tempted, they should redirect their focus – read a book, engage in light activities, or simply sit with friends. The presence of food around them should not be seen as a test of will imposed by others but as an opportunity to strengthen their self-control.

Shielding them from the sight of food by closing canteens does not build resilience; it fosters a fragile sense of faith, one that crumbles in the face of even the smallest challenge.

Furthermore, not everyone is obligated to fast. Children who have not yet reached puberty, those who are unwell, menstruating, travelling, or facing other valid exemptions are not required to fast. Are we to deny them the right to eat simply because others are fasting?

Respecting Ramadan does not mean enforcing restrictions on others; it means cultivating an environment of understanding. If we teach children to resent those who eat, we are failing in our duty to nurture kindness and tolerance.

Let them learn that faith is about personal accountability, not about controlling others. Let them understand that true strength in fasting comes from within – not from forcing the world to change around them.

NURIL FATHIHAH MAZLAN

Kuala Lumpur