Editor’s Note: This is the first part of a three-part series about Muslim culture and understanding.
“Sometimes it’s hard to find a way to bridge the gap of the things that separate us. It is a noble goal and one in which our future depends,” Jeffrey Rupp, director of community and government relations at MSU, said to attendants of the Charity Ramadan Fast-A-Thon held on campus last week.
Hosted by the campus Muslim Student Association, students and members of the Starkville community were asked to fast from sunrise to sunset with the local Muslim community in observance of the month of Ramadan, one of the most important seasons for Islamic followers.
Participants were asked to donate their lunch money from that day to Palmer Home for Children. Donations were collected at Memorial Hall as those attending broke fast with a free meal featuring international dishes.
Through donations at the event, the MSA was able to award Palmer Children’s Home more than $450.
The Fast-A-thon hosted interfaith speakers addressing the topics of fasting in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
“Ramadan is a season for understanding and coming together with the community,” said Arif Qayyum, MSA president. “Tonight we are achieving a part of this goal.”
During Ramadan, Muslims all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset for 29 to 30 days, depending on the phase of the moon.
They abstain from food, drink and sexual activities and pay close attention to other “haram” (the Arabic word meaning forbidden). According to Rani Sullivan, who spoke about fasting in Islam, Ramadan is believed to be the month that the Holy Quran was first revealed.
The Holy Quran is the Islamic equivalent to the Christian Bible. According to “An Idiot’s Guide to Islam,” it is the testament of the prophet Mohammed.
It is believed that Allah, or God, gave this message to the angel Gabriel, who gave it to the prophet Muhammad, who then recited the message to the people of Islam.
The Holy Quran is considered to be a miracle in the Muslim community because, according to history, Muhammad was illiterate, yet he was able to construct such a fine literary work.
According to Sullivan, there are five important pillars of Islam: affirmation, prayer, charity, pilgrimage and fasting.
“The most important of all the five pillars is fasting. There is no greater devotion to God, because only he knows how sincere your efforts are when you are fasting,” Sullivan said.
She said that Muslims do not consider fasting to be a form of punishment and that Muslims are encouraged to enjoy their lives. If followers are sick, pregnant or traveling, they are allowed to break fast and make up the missed days before the coming of the next year’s Ramadan.
“Muslims are taught to control bodily passions and appetites and to restrain from temptations at this time, but we are also taught to live and enjoy our lives,” she added.
Sullivan addressed the crowd of about 150 participants: “It gladdens my heart to know you would put yourselves into the place of someone else. This morning we began a fast that had an end, but some people endure a fast that never ends.”
William Bisson, a professor in the department of philosophy and religion at MSU, spoke about how fasting plays a part in Christianity.
He discussed the Bible story of when Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God to strengthen Himself against the temptations of Satan.
At this time Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and lived without food or water.
“Islam and Christianity certainly have their similarities,” Bisson said.
“These days it seems that too many of us view religion in the way of ‘what can it do for me.’ Christians can learn from the acts of devotion of other religions, especially Islam,” he added.
The celebration of Ramadan began at midnight on Sept. 23 and will end at sunset on Sunday or Monday, depending on the moon. At the end of Ramadan the Muslim community will celebrate Eid-al-fitr, or the Feast of Breaking the Fast.
The MSA began planning the Fast-A-Thon over a month ago. MSA vice-president and MSU student Ishrath Fatima said the MSA was pleased with the turnout.
“It’s nice to see that people are interested in learning. Events like this are important to demolish misconceptions of Muslims and Islam,” said Fatima. “We are excited to plan the next event.”