The Muslim Student Association hosted its first Fast-a-Thon Tuesday

night in which participants, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, fasted to raise

money for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

For every non-Muslim who participated, businesses and individuals from

around the community donated money to the organization.

“It’s a great organization that helps out a lot of people greatly in

need,” Yasmin Sadiq, a senior in business management and president of MSA,

said.

About 75 people were present for the breaking of the fast, which occurred

at 6:46 p.m. and was marked with an all-inclusive prayer.

“Prayer is the second pillar in Islam,” Amr Mohamed, a senior in

electrical engineering and vice president of MSA, said. “It’s something

that is like a daily purification … it washes away your sins.”

The breaking of the fast had food provided by Tandoor, a Southeast Asian

restaurant.

“The food was spicy, zestful and succulent,” Aaron Mangal, a senior in

business marketing, said, adding he fasted after getting up in the morning

to eat. “Fasting wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

Mangal said his favorite part of the event was the socializing and the food.

“It was just nice to take a break from all the work and learn about

something new,” he said.

Following the breaking of the fast, guest-speaker, Ali Aiello, spoke about the

importance of Ramadan and self-reflection.

“Muslims, as an act of devotion to God, abstain from food and drink during

daylight hours [during Ramadan],” he said, adding that fasting is a

foundation of Islam.

One of the results of fasting, Aiello said, was “experiencing the hunger

pains of those who are less fortunate… to realize the blessings of God

upon you. When you go through what someone’s going through, you’ll

understand it better.”

Aiello also stressed that humans have a purpose in life to do more than

fill candid desires.

“There’s a higher purpose involved,î he said. “It’s not only about control

over intake of food or intake of a drink.”

Aiello concluded with the advice to not respond to ignorance with ignorance.

“Be in a state of discipline with God,” he said. “Keep your emotions and

character in check. There’s a lot of self-reflection that’s involved with

this month. We try to wake up to the reality that is going on around us.”

Mangal said he learned self-restraint and focus from his fast.

“You have to put aside your desires and still function and go about your

daily life without one of your most basic needs,” he said.