Tuesday, January 20,1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Monthlong fast celebrates Muslim faith, strength
Muslim ritual tough for those who attend classes at University
After breaking their daylong fast for Ramadan, members of the Muslim Student Association and the Lawrence community gather for prayer Friday evening. A wedding that evening drew a large number for prayer, feasting and conversation. Photo by Jay Sheperd/KANSAN
By Sara Anderson
Kansan staff writer
No food. No water. No sex.
For one month, University of Kansas students practicing Ramadan do without life's basic necessities, making it sometimes difficult to live in the University setting.
"Basically, we have to restrict ourselves from sexual pleasure, eating and drinking." It said Hussain Arab, Kuwait junior. "It's hard but no pain, no gain."
Ramadan, one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, is when Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset. The month-long event focuses on self-purification and betterment. Ramadan is believed to be the month during which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
"It can be hard especially because we have school." Arab said. "If I have a class at 8 a.m. without having had any water, breakfast or lunch and have consumed all that energy, it makes it hard. But it gives us time to think about the people who are hungry all the time."
Waseem Dalloul, Palestinian junior and treasurer of the Muslim Student Association, said fasting was difficult for the first few days but not having enough time to worship was one of the most difficult aspects of practicing Ramadan at the University.
"The first two days are difficult
because your body is not used to it," he said. "But after that, it's not hard. Back home, the life during Ramadan gives people more time to worship, and the working hours are less so people can have a break if they are weak from fasting. We don't have that here."
Ramadan's main focus is spirituality, not physical restraints.
"The one misconception people have is always looking at the physical aspect of no food, water or sex, and it's more than that," said Ahmed Zafer, Saudi Arabia doctoral student. "It's not to be slimmer or for personal gain. It is a month of atonement where you teach yourself to behave as a true Muslim. It's
the best month for Muslims."
Ramadan, the ninth month in the lunar calendar, began Dec. 31 and will end either Jan. 28 or Jan. 29, depending on the sighting of the new crescent moon. Using the lunar calendar, new months are determined by the appearance of a new crescent moon, moving the date of Ramadan earlier each year. Last year, Ramadan began Jan 10.
The Muslim Student Association has a gathering to break the fast at 1917 Nsmith Drive, said Zahida Shirin, the association adviser. The gathering begins after sunset and is held everyday for single people and Friday for families. Food is provided.
RAMADAN
Monthlong fast from sunrise to sunset abstaining from food, drink, and sex.
Month of self purification and betterment.
Dates and water are the traditional "breakfast" items.
Members of the Muslim Student Association and Lawrence community participate in a worship service. On Friday, the group enjoyed a meal and conversation after breaking their Ramadan fast with dates and milk. The evening also included an announcement from a member of his plans of marriage. Members of the association, many of whom are graduate students, represent countries from almost the entire Muslim world. Photo by Jay Sheperd/KANSAN
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