For the second annual Ramadan Fast-a-Thon on Friday, the Muslim Students Association is asking students to go one day without food so others won't have to.
Nure Elatari, an undeclared graduate student who helped organize the fast-a-thon, said that for every non-Muslim student who registers to fast from sunrise to sundown this Friday, local organizations would donate $1 to the Mesa United Way food bank. The money raised will go toward providing food for the homeless.
In October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that almost 34.9 million Americans are unable to purchase adequate food, are hungry, or are at risk of hunger. These numbers have increased by 3.9 million individuals since 1999.
"[MSA] felt that this is a very good cause, and it will help the community to come together and raise awareness about homelessness," Elatari said. She said the difference is that after the fasting ends, students would have the option to eat, whereas the homeless do not have that choice.
Elatari added that Ramadan, which is the holy month in which Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sundown, is a very spiritual experience.
"It is a reawakening of your soul, and it allows you to appreciate what God gave you," she said.
Ramadan started Oct. 27 and is expected to end either Nov. 25 or 26, depending on when the next full moon is, Elatari said.
Bioengineering senior Nazeef Ebrahim said fasting during Ramadan allows him to empathize with others who are less fortunate. "It is very cleansing," he said.
More than 40 non-Muslim students have registered for the fast-a-thon, according to Elatari. She said the reaction has been positive and that students are overwhelmingly supportive.
For students worried about fasting for an entire day, Elatari added that although it could be a struggle, they could look forward to the "break fast" banquet dinner.
The dinner will be a free event at the Memorial Union at 5 p.m. Friday. Middle Eastern food and beverages will be served to celebrate the ending of the fast-a-thon.
In continuation of Islam Awareness Week, which began on Monday, there will be a mosque tour at the Islamic Cultural Center today at 12:30 p.m.
"This entire week has been a way for us to reach out to ASU and educate students about our religion," Elatari said.
Microbiology and sociology senior Craig Stritar said he registered for the fast-a-thon because of MSA's cause.
"I thought their outreach was good because they are helping the homeless," he said.
Stritar added that he wasn't too concerned with not being able to eat from sunrise to sundown because he would wake up really early so he could eat and drink.
Reach the reporter at pamela.j.coffman@asu.edu.
