Now in the time of Ramadan and Lent, contemplation and reflection are essential cornerstones, along with prayer and hope, and indeed, positive thinking and behaviour. The physical fast is a tool, and many would say it is important, but it is the further spiritual and broader aspects of the time of fasting that are most important, and again, our improving how we think and relate to others. For Muslims, the daily Iftar meal when breaking the fast in the afternoon at sunset is a very positive, collective event for family and friends. Also, the donation of alms and just some little help to needy people are important, not only for those who receive the help but also for those who give help, and the reflections and conversations everyone has about inequality in society. In the Christian fast, called Lent by Catholic Christians and others, there is little physical fast, but there is much talk about the importance of the four-week period of fast, especially on Sundays related to the religious service. However, it is a fact that the period of fasting is nowadays toned-down as compared to the Muslim fast, and there may well be a need for renewing the tradition among Christians.

Some decades ago when I lived in Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, I worked with an Anthropologist and Catholic Priest from Ireland, Dr. Anthony J. Barrett, who had done research and missionary work among the semi-nomadic people in Turkana, on the border with The Sudan, with many Sudanese refugees, too. During the colonial time, the British used the area for detention of political prisoners, including Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who later became the country’s first president. It was virtually impossible to flee from the area since one would not be able to find water on the way, and there was no real road to the nearest town Kitale in what was called the White Highlands, a rich agricultural area, some 3-400 kilometres away from the Turkana prison in the small town of Lodwar, near the Turkana lake. I remember that a Catholic Sister working among women in the area said that the only place she saw people with some meat on their bones was near the lake.

When Father Tony came down the some 700 kilometres from Lodwar, through Kitale, to Nairobi, we were always concerned about his health and well-being and if he had been on phone with his nieces in Ireland, whose duty it was to keep up contact with him, and replenish his bank account, the only income for him and money to help people in Turkana, including school children. This was the common way that the St. Patrick’s Mission financed most of its work. When Father Tony was Professor and Dean of Social Sciences at the Catholic University in Eastern Africa, Nairobi, he received modest allowances, but not quite a proper salary, and his work in Turkana had to continue, too.

In Nairobi, we were always humbled and impressed by the difficult work of the Irish priests and sisters in burning hot and dry Turkana, and also the work of the local leaders and civil servants. Father Tony always said that they did the best they could, and that was all they could do, often lacking money and other resources. Sometimes, they also and of course, too, they had different opinions about prioritization of work. On top of it, and hinting at how difficult the work and life was in Turkana, Father Tony once expressed doubt about everything, including his purpose and faith. He once said about the latter, that perhaps it was all just a story. We never discussed it further, and thought it was difficult to mention at all. However, it is true that not only lay, but also learned, from time to time may have questions about their faith, in the poorest of richest location.

We also recalled with admiration and spoke about Saint Mother Teresa, said that she, too, had had doubts about her own faith, saying that she had lost her faith entirely for some time during her work in the Missionaries of Charity, which she had founded. She spent her long life among the poorest of the poor in Kolkata, India, often caring for the destitute in their terminal time. She was born in Skopje, Albania, and passed away at the age 97 in 1997 in Kalkota. She was declared a Saint by the Catholic Church and had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

At this time of year, during Ramadan and Lent, it is a special time when many reflect on spiritual issues and faith, relationships, and many other things, from the simplest to the more serious and complicated. Last week, at an Iftar gathering, I had been busy beforehand and felt a bit unwell when I enjoyed the red soft drink and salty food. Suddenly and unexpected, I fainted and it became a major worry to the great staff in Chaaye Khana Restaurant in Supermarket in Islamabad. To be on the safe side, they thought it best to get me off for a check-up at the Polyclinic Hospital. There was a good lady doctor on duty and other professional staff members, who carried out all kinds of tests. Basharat and Abbas from the restaurant stayed with me patiently, and my friend Sam came because we had earlier agreed to meet that evening.

Today, what I wanted to underline about the incident now after I am in good shape again, was how concerned and helpful everyone was, and I extend my deepest thanks. As a matter of fact, if I should ever fall sick again, I hope it will be in Pakistan, not in my home country Norway, well unless it would be a major transplant or something, because there it wouldn’t cost money for me! But if I should need everyday help and care, I believe Pakistanis have the patience, mind and skills for that. Perhaps we should give that a thought in our time when we focus so much on modern technology, even AI, and specialist knowledge, good and well, too, but we shouldn’t belittle the simple, human concern and help either.

I have called my article today, ‘Trying Our Best’, and I would like to emphasize the importance of it, in Pakistan, Norway, and everywhere else. I believe small issues, simple help and concern, should be given more attention and status than we do nowadays. During this month of Ramadan and Lent, we are reminded of this. Helping others is always important, and we get deeper understanding of that during our spiritual growth and contemplation, indeed during Ramadan. The last little incident that I mentioned about myself, teaches me a few lessons, and so do the earlier stories I told about Father Tony in Kenya, and Saint Mother Teresa in Kalkota. They all did their best, they were ordinary and extraordinary people, yet, they, too, faced challenges in life, as we all do. I remember that Father Tony used to say, “I am just trying to do my best. That is all I can do”. “It isn’t always right”, he said, “but it is the best I am able to do.”

I wish you a good continuation of the fasting month – Ramadan Kareem.

Atle Hetland
The writer is a senior Norwegian social scientist with experience from university, diplomacy and development aid. He can be reached at atlehetland@yahoo.com