Ramadan in captivity

During our captivity our food ration consisted of 6 spoonfuls of rice, 2 pieces of meat plus 2 pieces of bread which for the most part was dough and only the outer surface could be eaten. The plight was insufferable indeed!

So in those days, our most difficult problem was hunger, which was even more painful than corporal punishment.

Meals

Under such circumstances the month of Ramadan arrived, and it happened to be in the summer season. God's special favor made us successful in fulfilling this religious duty. All the prisoners of the Mosul  camp Nr.2 decided to fast despite the opposition of the Iraqis.

We talked with the Iraqis that fasting was in accordance with our creeds. According to the agreement, we were to have breakfast as Eftary (the meal Muslims eat to break their fast in the evening) and lunch as Sahary (the meal Muslims eat at daybreak to sustain them all day till Eftar).

All the prisoners of our camp, specifically 1800 captives, were fighters of the Kheybar operation. In order to prevent us from fasting, the Iraqis sometimes poured oil(fuel) into our food, so that as our food reeked just after a few bites everyone threw up.

See also

• Fasting and how to fast
• Captive food