This is the first Ramadan in five years that Special Olympics gold medalist Ali Arkan Alameri, 17, is fasting without his father. He spent Day 1 of the holy month in a cemetery to visit the graveyard of his father, who passed away due to brain cancer last month.
Ali's father, Iraqi expat Arkan Abbas Alameri, inspired him to start fasting at the age of 13. At first, Ali fasted only for a few hours and at 14, he tried fasting intermittently for a full day then eventually he fasted every day - even on days when he was sick, he pursued completing his fasting for the whole month. All those times his father was on his side to support him.
Understandably, his family told Ali that he could skip fasting if he doesn't feel well. Roqaia, Ali's older sister, said: "We asked him to rest and not to fast but he refused."
Ali said he would continue doing his Ramadan routine: School (Rashid Center for People of Determination) in the morning then go home to rest and sleep for a couple of hours before Maghrib prayers and breaking his fast. After Iftar, he would go to the mosque near his home for Taraweeh prayers.
Afterward, he would spend the night watching TV with family and friends or would walk around the community or go to the gym for some light workouts before going to bed. He would rise early the following day for Fajr and Suhoor.
A champion swimmer, Ali participated in the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi last March and won a gold medal for the UAE in swimming. He worked hard for the win and dedicated it to his father. But his father was in a coma and was not able to touch the gold medal.
On Monday, day 1 of Ramadan, Ali brought the gold medal and showed it to his dad.
By Angel Tesorero
