On Oct. 2, some members of the Saint Louis University community might find themselves hungry. Instead of reaching for a sandwich or a bag of chips, SLU students, faculty and staff who participate in the Muslim Student Association’s Fast-A-Thon will be asked to sustain their hunger and instead focus on positive thinking.
The Fast-A-Thon takes place during one day of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the lunar calendar. During Ramadan, which began on Sept. 13, Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset.
“On the surface, it’s about fasting,” said MSA member and Muslim student Tahreem Aziz. “But inside, it’s about self-control and . the gratitude that we have to God. It’s about appreciation.”
Students who sign up to fast on the day of the Fast-A-Thon pledge that they are “hungry for change.” They agree to abstain from all food and liquids and “to refrain from negative thoughts and speech.”
Later in the evening, participants are invited to break their fast, learn about Islam and Ramadan and hear a speaker from the charitable organization that the MSA has chosen to support.
This year, the MSA has chosen to support refugees from Somalia who have recently arrived in St. Louis.
Money raised by MSA will be donated to the Islamic Foundation of St. Louis to be put into a social-service fund for allocation to the refugees.
The event is free to participants, but the MSA is asking St. Louis community members and businesses to donate money to the chosen charity. According to MSA Co-President Nichole Ashkar, MSA raised more than $2,000 last year, and donated to an organization called Healing the Children, which raises money to help treat children with painful or limiting disfigurements.
Aziz, former publicity chair of the MSA, helped to raise money as a member this year. She said that it is not always easy to ask for a donation, but sometimes “people are more likely to donate during Ramadan . because they know how it feels to be without.”
Because MSA sometimes finds donors who will give money based on student participation, MSA has been trying to get as many people as possible to sign up to fast.
“As the years have progressed, we’ve had more and more people,” said Aziz. She said that in 2004, the event attracted around 100 people. Last year, around 350 people broke their fast together. This year, the MSA has attracted over 400 participants.
“We have had to close sign-ups,” said Ashkar. “We have so many people.”
During Ramadan, Muslims often rise to partake in Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, and break their fasts after nightfall Iftar. In this spirit, each year participants are invited each year to a sunset Iftar, where they can break their fast with a free Middle-Eastern meal provided by the MSA. This year’s Iftar will take place shortly after 6 p.m. in the BSC ballrooms.
To students who are hesitant to fast, Aziz said, “Just try; you might surprise yourself.”
Aziz said that the Fast-A-Thon is one of her favorite events of the year because “all your friends are fasting with you for one day . faculty and family members [attend].It makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger.”
