On 'puasa'

On 'puasa'

Puasa for Moslems is more than just not eating and drinking during the daytime. It is considered to be one of the most important elements of the Islamic faith; it is for God. One cannot really experience puasa without understanding Islam or even without being a Moslem.

It has been proven scientifically that fasting can be used to promote better physical condition, but for the Moslems puasa gives far greater advantages than that. Most of us, Moslems, would consider puasa as a major overhaul service for both the physical and mental being.

Mr Link Luckett (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 22, 1995) asked about the 20 to 25 percent increase in food demand during Ramadhan. Simply because it's a special month, Moslems want to give their loved ones the best food. With the approach Lebaran (Idul Fitri), my mother's cooking activities increased by more than 50 percent. She wasn't just cooking for the family but also for neighbors, friends, relatives, orphans, and the less fortunate.

Actually the food demand increase is due more to the Lebaran day, not the Ramadhan month. Yes, during those two festive days some of us tend to be overfed, maybe just like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

A. KERMAPUTRA

Jakarta