Brother Omar

Out of 120 people in that room, I sat next to Brother Omar. Well, when I chose that seat, he wasn't there yet. When I returned with my food, he was already sitting down. He had a full beard and was quiet. As I gobbled down my food in a hurry before the presentation started, I noticed he wasn't touching anything on his plate. His full plate, was sitting there, just waiting. I looked at him with a question mark. He noticed it. I tried to smile. Of course, I knew what was going on. Did he know that I knew? No, I don't think so. Brothers in the community would never believe that a Sister is not fasting. Then, he politely turned to the whole table and said, "If you are wondering why I am not eating yet, it is because I am fasting for Ramedon" Wow. Good for him, I thought. I felt kind of embarrassed and tried to eat a little slower now.

Then, we all finished our food, and I even had my coffee. They collected all the dirty plates, while Brother Omar sat and waited. The presentation began. And Brother Omar waited and waited until it was 7:07, Iftar time. Then he silently ate his cold food from his plate.

Yes, out of 120 people in the room, I had to randomly sit next to Brother Omar, who made me feel guilty. For what? I don't know, but I felt weaker than him for not being able to do what he is doing, for not being patient...for not following tradition. For not caring...

10 years ago, I used to fast, but today, I am much closer to God than I was 10 years ago.

There. I resolved this conflict in my head. Done.