"Fasting, feasts and family for Ramadan"

Before a single ray of sunlight rose above the horizon in the early hours last Tuesday, Muslim students at UB and around the world began their first day of fasting to mark the beginning of Ramadan.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is a time of worship and contemplation for the Islamic community, and is celebrated with thirty days of fasting from sunrise to sundown.

"Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and a blessing that comes only once a year," said Viqar Hussain, president of the Muslim Student Association. "It is a month for all Muslims to purify themselves."

Muslims refrain from eating from sunrise to sunset, and in the evening spend time with friends and family while eating their meals. Hassan Shibly, a sophomore political science major, said as tough as not eating or drinking during each day of Ramadan can be, fasting is a rewarding experience.

"Fasting is not difficult like most people would think, because we are replaced with spiritual nourishment, which makes up for not eating or drinking," said Shibly. "Fasting shows sacrifice, commitment and faith to God. The heart should be directly connected to God and must be free of lust, anger and jealousy."

Professor Faizan Haq, lecturer in Islamic cultural history and the faculty advisor of Muslim SA, said fasting has additional benefits.

"Fasting allows ordinary people who always have food and water, to experience what it is like for the poor or those with no food," said Haq. "Ramadan is also a month to control bad talk and to avoid any bad intentions such as lying, cheating, stealing and to do only what God would want."

To give UB students the opportunity to gather together during the holy month, Muslim SA runs a series of "iftaars," dinners for Muslims at the time they break their fast, every weekday at sunset. The dinners are donated almost entirely by students and the community.

"We hope to provide a sense of family, security and a time to share thoughts," said Hussain.

Last year, Muslim SA provided a total of 22 dinners for over 150 students. UB is the only school in the SUNY system to provide its Muslim population with Ramadan dinners every weeknight.

Many students at UB said they've been looking forward to the iftaar dinners.

"I'm going to try to attend as many of the iftaar dinners as possible," said Muna Taha, a senior English major. "It is a great way to bring all students together to learn about Ramadan."

Students attending the iftaar dinners are also given the opportunity for group prayer.

"Muslims pray five times a day. After breaking the fast follows the evening prayer called Mughrib, the fourth prayer of the day," said Haq. "The Qu'ran is divided into thirty equal parts. One part is read each night from memory during the Tarawee prayer, throughout the 30 days of Ramadan. Two students on campus who spent years dedicated to the memorization of the Qu'ran will be leading the prayers aloud in Arabic for the rest of the students."

The dinners offer Muslim students the chance to celebrate their religion away from home as well as develop relationships with fellow Muslims.

"It brings a sense of community for all the Muslim students from different countries and a sense of home for students away from home," said Haq.

"Ramadan is a month to help you slow down your usual fast-paced lifestyle and just relax and appreciate what you have," said Wafaa Taha, a sophomore and the secretary of Muslim SA. "It is a time to reflect on what is really important in your life."