Humanity above everything: this 26-year-old man from Assam broke the Ramadan fast to donate blood

It is the holy month of Ramzan, and followers of Islam across the world observe roza (fast) from dawn to dusk for several weeks.

Twenty-six-year-old Panaullah Ahmed, a resident of Mangaldoi, Assam, was following roza too, but had to suddenly break his fast as he had to donate blood to a patient admitted at the Apollo Hospital in Guwahati.

On May 8, Ahmed’s friend, Tapash Bhagawati, who is also his roommate and colleague, received a call about a patient who was in dire need of blood. Both Tapash and Ahmed are part of a Facebook group called ‘Team Humanity – Blood Donors and Social Activists in India.’

Speaking to Time 8, Tapash said,

“I received a phone call about a patient from Dhemaji who underwent surgery for the removal of a tumour. I contacted a few donors, but nobody was available. I am thankful that my friend volunteered to donate blood even though he was fasting.”

The patient, identified as Rajan Gogoi, a resident of Dhemaji district in Assam, was in immediate need of blood, and his family could not find a suitable donor, which is when Ahmed had to step in to help. Ahmed was asked by the doctors to consume some food and water before donating blood, reports News 18.

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Commenting about breaking his fast, Ahmed said:

“They said I can donate blood, but might fall ill and my fast will all go in vain. It was then I decided to break my fast and donate blood.”

He further added,

“Human life and humanity are above everything. There were no second thoughts when I decided to donate blood. Everyone, whoever is physically fit, should donate blood. Donating blood is the best service to God. It feels great.”

The ‘Team Humanity – Blood Donors and Social Activists in India’ group receives blood donation request from across India, and is known for its active response in arranging donors.

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