Fasting Behind 'Iron Bars', A Sad Experience

By Norazurra Aziz KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- For 34-year-old Azam (not his real name) fasting during Ramadan, while imprisoned behind iron bars for the past nine years, is a rather traumatic experience. The father of three, who is serving a 17-year sentence for a sexual offence under Section 376 of the Penal code, is regretting his actions. "I have repented and want to change, no more committing the wrong acts," he told Bernama when approached at the premier lecture and closing of a religious programme, the 'Tahsin Solat dan Tahsin Qiraat'. The programme was held in conjunction with Ramadan at the Sungai Buloh Prison near here and was sponsored by the prison's religious unit, beginning three months ago and involving 60 Muslim convicts. Azam, who is now a single father, longs for his children, aged 11 to 13 years old. THANKFUL For Azam, he feels great sadness at not being able to see his children, who are now staying with a cousin in Shah Alam, Selangor, state of Malaysia. He said friends in the prison have managed to keep him sane as they participated in the religious programmes held in conjunction with Ramadan and Aidilfitri (Eid ul-Fitr) by the prison authorities. For another convict, 55-year-old Asri (also not his real name), he is thankful that his wife and children are still providing him hope, despite his serving time in prison. "I have been here for seven years and I need to serve time for another five years. Fortunately they (his family) do not stop giving me support and visit me every month," said the father of three. Asri has been sentenced to an 18 year prison sentence for a sexual offence. He might, however, be released after 12 years for good behaviour. His children include a serviceman in Alor Setar (Kedah, Malaysia), a daughter who is a lecturer in Kuantan (Pahang, Malaysia) and a son who is university student in Skudai, Johor state. EXPERIENCE According to Asri, fasting in prison is a sad experience where convicts break their fasts in their respective cell blocks before performing the Isya and Tarawih prayers together. Meanwhile, head of Sungai Buloh Prison's religious unit, Hamidon Ahmad, said during Ramadan that more religious programmes will be held for Muslim convicts. Hamidon noted that the Tahsin Solat and Tahsin Qiraat was held for the first time in the prison and aimed at strengthening the spiritual side of the convicts. -- BERNAMA