MSO Fast-a-thon benefits charity
Through fasting, students learn to appreciate what others don't have.
Published Sept. 11, 2009
Students participating in the Muslim Student Organization's Fast-a-thon fundraiser gave up food and drink from 5:15 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. Thursday to raise funds for the Central Missouri Food Bank.
Muslims fast from dawn until dusk during Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar.
Muslims believe Allah revealed the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad during this month, which they consider to be the holiest.
Fast-a-thon participants had the opportunity to understand and appreciate what Muslims experience for an entire month, as well as fundraise for the Central Missouri Food Bank, former MSO spokeswoman Nabihah Maqbool said.
"I think it's really fitting that we're taking a day to give up food in order to give food to those who don't have it," Maqbool said. "Hunger reminds people about those who go without food involuntarily, who they may not normally think about."
About 90 people attended the event, MSO spokeswoman Bushra Naz said. About 40 were non-Muslims.
Local businesses pledged to donate a set amount for each student who fasted Thursday. The recommended donation rate was $1 per student. Participants could also bring canned food for the Central Missouri Food Bank.
To start off the evening, MSO education officer Arwa Mohammad explained the five pillars of Islam, six articles of faith, Ramadan and the spiritual role of fasting.
"Muslims see it as a very spiritual month of intense worship," Mohammad said. "Fasting is not just manifested in the physical, it's also deeply spiritual. It really increases empathy for those who don't have what we have."
Fast-a-thon participants and MSO members then held an iftar, or breaking of the day's fast.
The International Cafe, Main Squeeze Natural Foods Cafe, Romano's Macaroni Grill and Olive Garden catered the dinner, and MSO members brought homemade dishes as well.
Junior DeAnna Anglin decided to fast to support her Muslim friend.
"I made a pledge to her club and to her," Anglin said. "I wanted to stay strong for her. If I was just doing it for myself, I don't know if I'd make it all day."
Anglin said fasting was not as difficult as she expected, but she still had trouble focusing without an energy boost.
"I can't imagine going through it for a month," Anglin said. "A day is long enough. It was a cultural experience. I see how strong of a Muslim you have to be to go through 31 days of it."
MSO President Malik Al Jarad said Ramadan fasting helps Muslims understand what it's like to be hungry.
"That's the most important thing for Ramadan, to learn the benefit of sharing," Al Jarad said. "If you don't have food, it's painful, so it's important to share with others."
Maqbool said one of last year's Fast-a-thon participants, who was passionate about the environment, used the day to hike in a forest and meditate.
"He said it was a really good feeling to focus his thoughts on one thing: the earth and how to cultivate it," Maqbool said.
Maqbool said fasting could improve cultural awareness.
"The experience of fasting may be very powerful," Maqbool said. "It makes people more reflective. Once they actually undergo the experience, the practice of fasting may make more sense to them."
