KUALA LUMPUR – Being in a foreign land and for the first time observing Ramadan far away from home, the test of faith never wears down the high spirits of Malaysian youths undergoing training at the military academies in the United States.
After being abroad for less than a year, Malaysian cadets Zarif Mohd Zamrin and Edlan Mikyad Ahmad Syamly, both 21, found the sacred month for Muslims extraordinarily meaningful to them.
For Zarif, currently enrolled in the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, the fact that many of his US counterparts do not know much about how Muslims fast during Ramadan has its own challenges.
“The experience here is definitely different. A lot of people here aren’t even aware it is Ramadan month or that there is such a fasting month.
“It is an interesting experience for me to see all the new people I meet adjusting themselves around those who are fasting.
“As I’m in military training, the exercises are still ongoing but they accommodate me adequately (no overexertion). The support I get from my fellow friends here is overwhelming and they can be very understanding,” Zarif told Bernama, when contacted via Instagram recently.
Describing his nine months in the academy as fulfilling, Zarif who hails from Subang Jaya said he is proud of his capability to fast despite all the rigorous training.
“I’m proud of myself that I am able to fast, and even prouder that my friends find it difficult to believe that I’m able to do all the training routines while fasting. I’m happy that I’m living up to the spirit of fasting as practised back in Malaysia, where the academy does not use fasting as an excuse in our intense training routines as cadets,” the second of four siblings added.
Though the Ramadan feel in the US is not the same as in his hometown, Zarif said he had never felt left out by the other Muslim friends in the academy.
“Typically, I just carry out my normal routine of sahur, military training as well as doing homework in the evening. For iftar, I break fast together with the Muslim community in the USAFA,” he said, adding that his dream is to become a pilot with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Meanwhile, Edlan Mikyad’s – who is in the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York – Ramadan stories are filled with many good exchanges of culture, information and practices with his fellow American friends.
The Kuala Lumpur-born Edlan pointed out that he is impressed with his friends’ efforts at the academy to also experience fasting from dawn to sunset enthusiastically.
“Many Americans here assume that Ramadan fasting is similar to the Christian fasting called “lent” and once I showed them the difference between the two, they started to understand how Muslims fast.
“My proudest moment is convincing other friends to try and fast for the day and having them break fast with the Muslim cadet association here. I find it very satisfying and rewarding,” added Edlan.
With Aidilfitri just around the corner, Zarif wishes: “Selamat Hari Raya to all Malaysians both back at home and abroad. Share the Raya spirit with everyone you know. I am proud to represent Malaysia!”.
“I would like to also wish all the other servicemen and women who are currently serving away from their friends and families during the holidays,” said Edlan, when asked to express wishes to all Malaysians.
Edlan and Zarif were among four outstanding Malaysian students who were accepted to continue their studies at prestigious service academies in the US in June 2022.
Both Edlan and Zarif who were former students of the National Defence University of Malaysia will graduate from their respective academies in 2026. – Bernama, April 20, 2023
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