W H AT ’ S ONTUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015

Adozen non-Muslim expats took up theTIES Center’s challenge to fast for a dayby applying the Islamic guidelines of

abstaining from food, drink and smoking fromearly dawn until sunset in order to experiencethe spirit of Ramadan firsthand. Upon regis-tration, guests were invited to reap the bene-fits of fasting, including increased self-disci-pline, patience, God-consciousness, sincerity,compassion, gratitude, and brotherhood, aswell as documented medical benefits.

The fasters included Filipino, Dutch andIndian fasters who expressed only positivityabout their experience. “Before I started fast-ing, I doubted myself and was not confident Icould do it” said Jayatheja Swaroop. But aftersuccessfully completing the day, he was elatedand had increased motivation to meet otherchallenges in life. Many fasters had someexperience in fasting, but it was the first timethey completed a total fast from both foodand water. “It was easier than I thought” was acommon sentiment.

“It is important to adopt some of the cul-ture when you go to a foreign country,” saidKasper Cobben from the Netherlands. “For thisreason, I am fasting like the people in Kuwaitand I am learning Arabic. I would expect peo-ple to learn some Dutch if they came to theNetherlands.” Kasper, a physical therapist, hasfasted since the beginning of Ramadan with-out difficulty.

By the time the sun set, the fastersexpressed feelings of happiness and peace.After sharing a meal prepared at the TIESCenter, Bhupinder Singh remarked, “It was apleasure and honor to ... share experiencesand break the fast together with all our broth-ers and sisters. I felt at home like family.”Swaroop agreed: “I’m very, very happy that Ihave met all of you... It was just like brothersand sisters of a family spending time together.

I really enjoyed the first fast of my life inRamadan.”

Ahmed Mubeen encouraged his colleagueto undertake the challenge. After viewing apresentation about Ramadan, and sharing iftarand long discussions about many topics, hecommented, “I truly appreciate the initiativeby TIES and the presentation and arrangementwas wonderful. It was amazing to meet every-one from different walks of life, different

regions and different faith for a common pur-pose. The event was remarkable.Congratulations to all on their success of com-pleting the Ramadan Challenge.” Each partici-pant was given a certificate of achievement forcompleting the fasting challenge.

Ramadan is a time not only for spiritualgrowth but also for social solidarity. TIESCenter manager Teresa Lesher said, “I feelblessed to have met them. They are an inspi-

ration to me. Their efforts to reach out,embrace another culture and meet new peo-ple are much-needed acts of trust and broth-erhood that the world sorely needs.” The mis-sion of the TIES Center is to empower Kuwait’sexpats through social and educational servicesthat promote a positive and productive role insociety, and to facilitate opportunities forintra- and interfaith interactions that promotesocial solidarity.

Expats fast for TIES’ Ramadan challenge

KNES pre-school graduation and KG summer concert

The youngest children from Kuwait National English School celebrated their first year of formal education on Tuesday, June 7. The children were all quite excited to entertain their parents with their newfound confidence and growing skills. There was singing and dancing and smiles from ear to ear. The evening was also the Graduation of the Pre-School children who will be entering Kindergarten inSeptember. They were splendid and showed themselves to be confident and talented. Many friendships were made this year and we at Kuwait National English School wish them a Happy Summer

Vacation and look forward to all our families coming back in September.