One thing that never ceases to strike me is the great and seemingly unbridgeable divides between different sections of the society, divides due to race, ethnicity and power. Islam stresses the unity of mankind: on the equality of all human beings irrespective of colour, race and power. Islam teaches that all humans are equal in the sight of God Almighty, righteousness being the only distinction. Worldly possessions should not be a source of arrogance but rather should be used for the good of mankind.When one leads a comfortable life, it can be hard to understand the suffering of those who do not enjoy such comfort. Islam has made provisions for such cases so Muslims can experience, though, in a limited way this sense of suffering and deprivation. Fasting is prescribed in Islam as one of the obligatory five pillars of Islam. During the month of Ramadhan, which just started and will run for a month, Muslims take their breakfast before sunrise and abstain from food and water from dawn to dusk. The month of Ramadhan is a period of intensive training in beneficent values and a valuable exercise in endurance and steadfastness. It has a great social significance. It brings home to the well-to-do section of society the meaning of hunger and thirst. Privation becomes an experience shared in common with all. The consciousness that a large number of their fellow beings have to go hungry most of the time is sharpened and there is great eagerness to share with them the bounties that God Almighty has, of His grace, bestowed on themselves.Ramadhan is welcomed by Muslims, not with dread but rather with happiness and earnest prayers that God Almighty would bestow one with the ability to complete the fast. The true purpose of Ramadhan, as of all forms of Islamic worship is to draw people closer to God Almighty. Though normal pursuits are carried on as usual, the emphasis on moral and spiritual values and concentration on them are intensified, and everything is subordinated to the main purpose. The hearing, the sight, the tongue, the mind are all under stricter control. After Ramadhan, believers are enjoined to hold fast to the virtues and higher spiritual faculties they have gained during Ramadhan and to keep increasing in them.Fasting is not an institution exclusive to Islam.‘O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may guard against evil’ (Holy Qur’an 2:184)As mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, fasting is found in different forms in other faiths. It has been practised by the founders and followers of many faiths. There is several mention of fasting in the Bible: when Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28) and when Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). Fasting is also found in different forms in Hinduism, Confucianism and even in the religions among the aborigines of America and Australia. This is not surprising as the Holy Qur’an explains that God Almighty has sent prophets to all tribes and people and hence there is bound to be some similarity between the different faiths. Muslims believe that Islam came as the pinnacle of religious evolution perfecting all teachings relating to the moral and spiritual life of man (Holy Qur’an 5:4), with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) being called the Seal of Prophets (Holy Qur’an 33:41) and a mercy for mankind (Holy Qur’an 21:108) and being the perfect example of excellent moral and spiritual faculties (Holy Qur’an 68:5).Fasting in Islam is associated with moral and spiritual progress and plays a constructive role in the refining of human character. Ramadhan Mubarak to all who are fasting!Shabnam Jheengoor is a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Bermuda and can be contacted at alislam.bermuda@gmail.com