This year, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began Friday, Oct.
15 this year, signaling the start of 30 days of fasting and
abstinence from vices.
Although it is commonly known that observant Muslims refrain
from all food and drink during the daylight hours, this period in
the lunar calendar is about thoughtful reflection, prayer and
charity.
The ritual of Lent has the same basic premise as fasts in the
Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The physical fast signifies
spiritual cleansing and empathy for those who suffer worldwide.
This month is holy because it is the month that Islam’s holy book,
the Qur’an, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
The SLU Muslim Students Association (MSA) hosts its second
Fast-a-Thon this year, encouraging all members of the SLU
community, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to fast for one day and
afterward to enjoy a free dinner of ethnic cuisine. Traditional
dates, pastries and juices will be among the items served. Local
businesses sponsor the event, donating all proceeds to SLU’s Campus
Kitchen.
Those interested may sign up at the booth set up at the north
side of the Busch Student Center or at msa.slu.edu. There is no fee
to participate in this event. The dinner will be in DuBourg Hall,
room 157 at 6:00 p.m.
Last year’s Fast-a-Thon raised money for Food Outreach, which
helped deliver meals to individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS. The
first Fast-a-Thon was started three years ago at the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville.
Washington University also hosts a Fast-a-Thon, which raised
$1100 last year with 250 participants. SLU’s first year hosting the
event raised $700. This year, the goal is over $1000.
By last Friday, the number of participants signed up was 80.
Under the coordination of SLU students Sarah Dwidar and Dahlia
Salem, several faculty members have decided to join in this time,
including Hayrettin Yucesory, Ph.D. of the history department, Mark
Chmiel, Ph.D., of the theological studies department, and Ronald
Modras, Ph.D., also of the theological studies department. All
heads of departments were invited to participate, as was University
President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., Waheed Rana, Ph.D., professor of
anatomy at the Health Sciences Campus will also join in the
celebration.
The motto of the event is to,”go hungry for a change so someone
else won’t have to.”
The goal is clearly to directly impact the St. Louis community
by ameliorating poverty and homelessness as well as raise empathy
for those less fortunate.
Business sponsors include the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR), International Student Federation, the
Cross-Cultural Center and Campus Ministry. In addition, the St.
Louis Post-Dispatch recently printed a piece about SLU’s
Fast-a-Thon.
During Ramadan, MSA also serves food at the West Pine Islamic
Center, located within SLU’s campus borders. They shop for the
groceries and dispense meals in what amounts to a soup kitchen for
Muslims during Ramadan, as all the meals are free.
A total of $46,000 was collected last year due to the
Fast-a-Thons held at 130 college campuses nationwide. This year, at
least 123 are slated to hold the event. MSA is also working with
Chartwell’s to establish a system of reimbursement for those Muslim
students whose meal-plans go unused for the duration of the
month.
At the end of the Ramadan is Eid-ul-Fitr, a holiday that will be
celebrated by University of Missouri-St. Louis, Forest Park
Community College, Washington University and SLU on Nov. 20. On
Make-a-Difference day, MSA collected cans with Alpha Phi Omega.
As the group is hosting an “iftar” or breaking of fast, it also
plans to have a “suhur” or eating just before dawn. The night of
the Fast-a-Thon, a night of prayer, or Qiyam-al-layl, will take
place at the West County Islamic Center on Weidman Road. Free meals
will be provided at this event.
More information can be found at www.fastathon.org and questions
or comments send to [email protected].
