The Muslim holy month of Ramadan started Friday as students
prepared for a month of prayer and fasting together with others on
campus.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, involves
fasting without food or water from the break of dawn until the sun
sets below the horizon and praying several times a day.
Fasting ““ or siyam ““ is one of the five pillars of
Islam, and is intended to teach followers patience, discipline and
self-control, and remind them of others who are less fortunate and
often go hungry.
UCLA students plan to gather behind Kerckhoff Hall after the sun
goes down every Monday through Thursday during Ramadan to eat and
drink food donated by various individuals and organizations. The
break of fast is followed by time for group prayer.
Sami Hasan, president of the Muslim Student Association, said
about 100 students kicked off Ramadan on Friday by breaking their
fast together at the De Neve Plaza dining hall.
“We weren’t expecting that many because people
usually go home on the weekends, but we had a big turnout,”
Hasan said.
Hasan also said a group of students had gathered the night
before on the top of the Math Sciences Building to observe the
moon, which officially signals the start of Ramadan. They had a
discussion afterward about why Ramadan is important.
MSA Internal Vice President Khadeeja Abdullah said despite what
some might think, the traditions of Ramadan, including fasting all
day and taking time to pray, actually helps her be a better
student.
“If you were to look at it on the surface you might think
it takes away from studying, but I find myself a lot more focused
and using my time to the best of my abilities,” Abdullah
said.
Later in the lunar month on Nov. 4, MSA plans to hold
Fast-a-Thon, a fund-raising event in which Muslim and non-Muslim
students fast to raise money for charity through donations from
local businesses.
Last year, the event attracted more than 100 participants and
over a dozen businesses pledged to donate $1 for every person who
fasted.
Abdullah said MSA would like to organize events to connect to
the larger campus community to show how fasting is not a tradition
exclusive to Muslims, but is found in other religions such as
Judaism and Christianity.
MSA also plans to hold other events throughout the month to
simply educate all students about what Ramadan is and its
importance to the Muslim community.
“A lot of people still don’t know what Ramadan is
for,” Abdullah said.