115- And 111-Year-Old Kelantan Sisters Attribute Long & Healthy Life To Fasting
The centenarians said they are grateful to be blessed with long lives and are both very happy to be vaccinated.
By May Vin Ang — 10 Sep 2021, 10:03 AM
Two sisters in Kelantan, both more than a century old, have attributed their good health and long life to their practice of fasting for three months every year
115-year-old Munah Yunus and 111-year-old Pah Yunus who live with their children in Kampung Rengas, Machang said they are grateful to be blessed with long lives.
Pah told Bernama that many people have asked her and her sister for tips on living a long life too.
"I told them that we fast, which we have been doing since were were young and are still doing," the mother of five, grandmother of 16, and great-grandmother of 36 shared.
"My sister and I always fast for three consecutive months, which is from the month of Rejab, through Syaaban, and then Ramadan. We also fast on Mondays and Thursdays."
While the sisters — whose husbands have passed away — consider themselves generally healthy, they have been slowing down because of a fall about 10 years ago
"It was separate incidents, but both of of us suffered back injuries and after some time it affected our movement. Our legs became weak and we cannot walk properly," said Pah, adding that they can still move around their children's homes by shuffling slowly.
She added that her older sister also hasn't been able to do their three-month fast consistently in the past few years.
"Munah has become senile and tires easily, but during Ramadan, she will fast. Alhamdulillah, so far, I have no problem fasting, and health wise, I only have high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease," the younger sister said.
Pah's son, 63-year-old Mohd Ramli Ismail, also told Berita Harian that other than fasting, his mother also takes good care of her diet and often eats healthy food such as ulam.
Both the sisters live with their respective children in Kampung Rengas, Machang.
Image via Sinar HarianThe centenarians also made headlines recently for getting their COVID-19 vaccinations together
Both the sisters recovered well after both of their vaccine doses, with Pah not getting any side effects while Munah was down with fever for a few days.
According to Harian Metro, Mohd Ramli said his mother woke up in high spirits to attend her first appointment at a vaccination centre in Pulai Chondong on 12 July.
Meanwhile, Munah's daughter, 64-year-old Siti Mariam Taib, said her mother was also determined to get the shot because she was concerned about COVID-19 and her risk as a senior citizen.
"At the same time, she was also excited because she and her sister have promised to get their vaccines together," she said, adding that the sisters have been close since young because they have no other siblings.
"I'm thankful that my mum is blessed with good health, and despite being more than a century old, she is able to watch her 15 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren grow up," the daughter added.
