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| Azim Azimzade. Ramadan of the poor people. 1938 |
Food is tied to everything we do and everything we are. This is true even when we abstain from eating it, as is the case for the millions of Muslims who are currently fasting for the holy month of
Ramadan. In addition to the nutrition and enjoyment derived from consumption, food can have an even larger impact when it’s used as a spiritual aid. And by used, I mean not used, or at least withheld for a significant period of time. Sacrificing food and other indulgences can mean strengthening one’s spirit while ensuring a profound appreciation for the nourishment so easily taken for granted.
It’s no wonder that food has the power to transform both personally and politically. In the course of his lifetime,
Mohandas Gandhi fasted several times. In his fight against political injustice Gandhi called his fast “a god given opportunity” (History.co.uk). In addition to an opportunity, fasting became a powerful tool in the fight for caste equality in India. Furthermore, fasting is a valuable method integral to “
passive resistance”, a philosophy that calls for peaceful progression towards achieving goals, often in the face of violent opposition. Of course, not all fasting is done in such dramatic fashion, nor is it solely intended to bring about political change.
