Students fast for funds

By Anna Koeppel

Published Oct. 2, 2007

During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, Muslims do not consume anything between dawn and dusk. MU's Muslim Student Organization and Columbia businesses sponsored the Fast-A-Thon, donating a set amount to the Central Missouri Food Bank for each non-Muslim person who pledged to fast yesterday.

"Ramadan is a month of reflection and a month to be the best person you can," junior and MSO treasurer Amy Williams said.

Williams planned the Fast-A-Thon with senior and MSO Social Chairwoman Amina Rehman.

Williams said the Fast-A-Thon has occurred for several years at MU and is part of a celebration on college campuses nationwide.

Williams said about 60 people signed a form pledging to fast Monday from sunrise to sunset. About 50 people attended the dinner Monday night.

"I think it was a positive experience for the people who have chosen to fast," Williams said.

Freshman Moeena Mian brought several of her non-Muslim friends.

"I invited the people who've always been interested in fasting and how Ramadan works," Mian said.

Freshman Becky Thiele, one of Mian's friends who attended the event, said she attended the dinner as a gesture of tolerance toward different faiths. She also said she felt some people are intolerant toward Muslims because of the Iraq war.

"It (fasting) was a lot harder than I thought it would be," said freshman John Shealy, also a friend of Mian's.

Shealy, Thiele and freshman Aubrey Adams ordered a pizza around midnight Sunday night in preparation for the fast.

Shealy said that talking and thinking about the fast "made it 10 times worse."

Muslim freshman Eman Abdelhadi explained the spiritual and practical significance of Ramadan fasting to those who attended the dinner.

"Muslims refrain from basic human desires and gain discipline," Abdelhadi said. "They focus on the things that matter more, and through that, get closer to God."

Abdelhadi called fasting a "community experience."

"Ramadan does bring the Muslim community together, and for non-Muslims to fast gives them a lot of insight into the biggest parts of Ramadan," Abdelhadi said.

Abdelhadi said Muslims also fast during Ramadan to remember those who do not have food or drink available whenever they want it.

"Even if you just fast for one day, you get an idea of how they feel, how they go throughout the day being hungry," senior and MSO President Omar Waheed said. "It's a chance for them to reflect on what they have."

Williams said one business the MSO asked to donate to Fast-A-Thon declined because it was reluctant to donate to a Muslim organization.

"They said they would rather donate to the food bank," instead of donating through MSO, Williams said. She declined to name the business because she felt the employee she spoke with didn't represent the whole business.

Both Waheed and Williams said they do not have final figures on how much money was raised for the food bank, and they are still hearing from businesses who are considering sponsorship.