If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to fast for a day, Eastern Michigan University’s Muslim Student Association is providing the perfect opportunity with their annual Fast-a-Thon.
The student organization invites everyone on campus to abstain from food and drink from dawn till dusk and break his or her fast with a free dinner event at the Student Center at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Sheikh Ali Suleiman Ali, an imam from Canton, Mich., and a prominent religious leader in the area, will speak at the event on the importance of fasting in Islam. A Q-and-A session will discuss how and why Muslims fast, and participants will also be able to reflect on their own experiences with fasting for the day.
After the speech and discussion, participants will be able to break their fast with a free dinner at 7:40 p.m., when the sun sets.
“Last year was a big turn out and people liked to share their experience,” said Nadia Aggour, former president of the EMU Muslim Student Association.
Fasting in Islam lasts from sunrise to sunset and is obligatory during the holy month of Ramadan.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a sign of commitment to the faith. For 29 or 30 consecutive days each year (the actual month of Ramadan changes each year depending on the lunar calendar), food and drink are strictly forbidden, including water and even chewing gum.
But there is more to fasting than just going hungry all day.
“It’s about sacrifice and perfecting your behavior,” said Saran Naqshbandi, an MSA member. “It’s purifying.”
In addition to giving up food and drink, activities like smoking, fighting, swearing and sex are also off-limits.
For inexperienced fasters, going nearly 12 hours without food or even water may seem impossible.
But according to Aggour, a successful fast begins with the right breakfast, which must happen before the sun rises.
“You want to eat food that is going to be filling, to carry you throughout the day,” Aggour said.
“You should eat lot of proteins and fibers, but you don’t want to over eat.”
Recommended foods to eat before a fast are eggs, beans, meats and breads. It’s important to stay away from salty foods because they tend to be dehydrating, and you can’t rehydrate yourself once the sun rises and the fast begins.
To ensure that you stay hydrated throughout the day, drink a lot of water before dawn.
Fast-a-Thon is free and will be held in room 310 of the Student Center. The event is also eligible for Learning Beyond the Classroom credit. You do not have to fast for the day in order to attend the event, eat a free meal and learn about the practice of fasting and what it means in the context of Islam.
Fast-a-Thon is one of many events held by the Muslim Student Association each year. To keep up on their events, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/msa.emu.
