Looking out into Westwood and the greater city of Los Angeles,
it is not difficult to find people who may not know the source of
their next meal.
During the Islamic month of Ramadan, it is also easy to find
Muslims who choose to give up food, eating only at night in the
name of self-restraint.
The Muslim Student Association has tried to show Muslims and
non-Muslims alike that this ritual allows people to experience the
plight of the city’s homeless through their annual
Fast-a-Thon, during which students will fast from sunrise to sunset
today.
“I’ve personally never experienced a feeling of
hunger,” said Ricardo Villegas, a fourth-year Chicana/o
studies student and a Fast-a-Thon participant. “I could
experience it for a couple hours, but some people feel it every
day.”
Today’s Fast-a-Thon invites non-Muslims to abstain from
eating, asking them, “Will you go hungry for one day so that
someone else won’t have to?”
Community businesses agree to donate one dollar for every
non-Muslim student who fasts, which will be donated to the Niswa
Shelter for Battered Women and Children in Lomita.
“We are glad that UCLA MSA is so active and aware,”
said Shamim Ibrahim, Niswa board of directors president.
The day for fasting non-Muslim students begins before sunrise
today, at 6:02 a.m., when they are encouraged eat a good
breakfast.
After a full day of abstaining from food and drink, students are
invited to break their fast with others who shared in the
experience.
At 6:08 p.m., tonight’s projected sundown, participants
will eat dates and drink water, as the Muslim prophet Mohammed is
said to have done, and gather for a meal known as Iftar.
MSA President Rahmatullah Akbar said he tries to emphasize the
Fast-a-Thon by encouraging participants to relate their experiences
to those who do not have the choice not to eat.
MSA External Vice President Aliya Hussaini said that in the
past, the program has raised about $2,000 from between 250 and 300
participants and about 10 sponsoring businesses.
“It’s a great (program) that MSA is putting
on,” Villegas said. “I am very proud to do it as
well.”
Participant Jenny Galvez, a fifth-year Chicana/o studies student
had a similar outlook on the event.
“I get to experience the culture of a different community,
learn something new, and make a contribution.”