RAMADAN is just days away.

As a child, and then young adult, the fasting month was always awaited with much excitement and hope.

We would be excited because it would be a chance to get the family closer, especially during sahur and breaking of fast. A chance to have some delicacies from the shops. A chance to rein in our imperfections like greed, anger and impatience. And of course, it was to fulfil our religious obligations.

We had neighbours from all walks of life. The air of togetherness would permeate throughout the neighbourhood, not just during Ramadan and Hari Raya, but also other festivities.

In recent years, the Ramadan excitement has turned to distress. The hope has turned to anxiety.

There is distress and anxiety because people have become intolerant and unforgiving. People take offence to anything that doesn’t fit their mould.

They argue about their right to eat in public. They argue about their right not to see anyone eat in public. In fact, they don’t just argue, they spew venom like it’s righteous to do so, more in the holy month than anytime else.

Everyone is demanding respect from everyone else but it doesn’t seem to be mutual.

My right, your right. You have to respect me. Why should I respect you? And it goes on.

All these demands for rights and respect just show that it has all gone wrong. We have lost our way.

What about the rights of the homeless whose dinner table will be the concrete floor of a shop corridor? What about the rights of the hardcore poor who fast not just during Ramadan but throughout the year because they just cannot afford a decent meal?

It’s like we have forgotten the purpose of Ramadan and like vultures wait to swoop upon anyone for the pettiest of reasons.

We have to realise that it is just not about us. It is about others, too. It is about caring. It is about empathy. It is about love. It is about humanity.

Selamat berpuasa. – May 22, 2017.

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