Featured photo by Alyssa Williams
Story by Alyssa Williams
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Muslim and non-Muslim students alike attended a Ramadan Iftar dinner hosted by MTSU’s Office of International Affairs and the Intercultural and Diversity Affairs after the sun went down on Wednesday.
Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. It falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is roughly 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Ramadan celebrates the month that the Quran was sent down from heaven to Prophet Muhammad.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. During that time, participants do not eat or drink, including water. The goal is to help cultivate self-control, gratitude and compassion for those less fortunate. Some, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, the elderly and children, are exempt from fasting.
There are five daily prayers that comprise salat, one of the pillars of faith in Islam. Prayer times are dictated by the position of the sun. The prayers are Fajr, Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha.
Maghrib, the sunset prayer, is recited just before Iftar, the evening meal had to break fast.
During Ramadan, Muslims also recite the Taraweeh prayer nightly after the ‘Isha prayer.
When the sun finally set, participants carried their prayer rugs to the corner of the Todd Jackson building to recite the Maghrib prayer. Then, a plastic tub of dates was carried around from person to person. In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad would break his fast with ripe dates. Students and faculty alike gathered and ate.
“People think [Ramadan] is all about fasting from food, but it really isn’t,” Rand Hasan, president of the Muslim Student Association, said. “It’s about fasting from bad habits. It’s a chance for you to change any bad habit. Be less angry, be more patient. Things of that nature.”
More than that, many Muslims believe it is a time to reset and reconnect with their religion. MSA event coordinator Alisha Saeed said that it helps bring about awareness.
“If I go to grab a piece of food or a cup of water, I’m like ‘Oh, wait, I’m fasting,’” Saeed said. “I am constantly aware of myself, so that helps me be aware of what I’m doing, the way I’m talking, and the way I’m presenting myself as a person . . . Some of us might be lacking with our praying, lacking with our connection with God. Ramadan helps us reconnect with our religion.”
Ramadan is also a time to remember the less fortunate.
“In Islam, it says that we are like a body, and so if one part of our body gets hurt, the entire body is in pain,” Saeed said. “In Palestine, one part of our people is in pain, so we’re all in pain. They don’t get to have Iftar to open their fast. They aren’t having these feasts like we are. They aren’t getting to spend time with their family. They don’t even have places to live. They’ve been fasting for months, not just now.”
Hasan shared a similar sentiment.
“Muslims in Gaza are breaking their fasts with grass,” Hasan said. “Imagine. They’re just eating grass after fasting for 14 hours. All they have to eat is grass. All they have to drink is dirty water. They just don’t have any food. This is a month for us to remember to pray for them. It’s a reminder that, while we are here eating this much food, they don’t have any.”
Ramadan is a favorite time of the year for both Hasan and Saeed. Not only do they fast, but they feel more connected to God, each other and other Muslims across the world. It is a time to celebrate the Quran, reset bad habits and spend time with family.
“Even if you’re not Muslim, I have a lot of non-Muslim friends that are fasting with us this year, so I think everyone should give it a go,” Saaed said. “Fasting is really good for your health, it cleans out your body, and helps reset your body. Even if you’re not Muslim, you can do it any amount of time you want during the month.”
Alyssa Williams is the News Editor for MTSU Sidelines.
To contact News Editor Alyssa Williams and Assistant News Editor Zoe Naylor, email newseditor@mtsusidelines.com.
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