Volume 124 Issue 6
kansan.com
Friday, August 26, 2011
BASKETBALL
More Legends of the Phog guests announced
KORY CARPENTER
kcarpenter@kansan.com
The list of expected participants in next month's Legends of the Phog has been updated, according to KU Athletics. The list includes current and former NBA players including Paul Pierce, Mario Chalmers, Darnell Jackson, Nick Collison, Cole Aldrich, Xavier Henry, Marcus
and Markieff Morris, Scot Pollard, Greg Ostertag, and Darnell Valentine. "Many others will be participating and attending the Legends of the Phog," said Greg Gurley, director of development for the Williams Educational Fund, a fundraising program for the athletics department. "The Williams Educational Fund and men's basketball office is actively working on the event with emphasis on current and past professionals along with
timeless legends such as Darnell Valentine."
The event is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale to students for $10.
Edited by Ben Chipman
CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN
CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN The Morris Twins are among other former Kansas basketball star to play in Lawrence again.
Student's friends and family struggle amid Syrian unrest
IHANNAH WISE
hwise@kansan.com
Everything changed with a knock on the door. Mohammed Ghaliouw was arrested by Syrian security police without a cause provided to his family. For Suhayla Sibaai, a sophomore from Wichita, this type of story is not uncommon.
"I would go over there and it felt like such a safe place to go. You never had to worry about going out," Sibaia said.
They're calling it the Ramadan Massacre because the violence has increased since the beginning of Ramadan earlier this month.
Sibaia's cousin's good friend was killed in a random shooting. Deaths are disturbingly common, and, in the past six months, well-documented through amateur videos and internet postings.
"You can go on YouTube and see very graphic videos. You will sometimes see kids and older men bleeding to death," Sibaai said.
The violence arose in response to protests against the current Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, and the government. The US Department of State classifies the Syrian government as a republic, under the authoritarian military-dominated Arab Socialist Baath Party.
"Al-Assad and his family are from
SEE SYRIA ON PAGE 3
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
Suhaya Bibaia, a sophomore from Wichita, Nasal Walshi, a sophomore from Wichita, Salman Husain, a freshman from Wichita, Tanya Martinez, a junior from Wichita, Aliaa El Kaloubi, a sophomore from Cairo Egypt, Lori Jacob, a graduate student and Chris Ceman, a sophomore from Phillipsburg have a community itfar. Itfar is the breaking of fast each evening during Ramadan.
HAWK WEEK EVENTS
Prayer, fasting mark Ramadan
RELIVE
PAGE 2
"We are supposed to fast all day from the first prayer before dawn until sunset which is when we break the fast," Hassaballa said. "All Muslims are required to fast unless they're children, sick.
elderly or pregnant.
ALIZA CHUDNOW achudnow@kansan.com
According to Hassaballa, Ramadan is one of the regular months of the year in the Islamic calendar. This year, Ramadan began Aug. 1, and ends Aug. 30. Each day during this period, Muslims who observe the holiday fast as well as pray five times a day.
As campus is bustling with students hurrying to class at 1:30 p.m., senior thar Hassaballa is on the second floor of Anschutz Library, quietly praying. For Hassaballa and other Muslim students on campus, this month represents the holy month of Ramadan.
erly or pregnant.
I don't fast just because I am required to; this is my connection with Islam, being Muslim and prayer. This holy month, everyone works a little harder on their spirituality."
While Ramadan is a time to connect with the Islamic faith, it is also a time to give back to those who are less fortunate.
"We do it to feel how poor people feel," Musleb said. "Fasting makes me more conscious and aware of the things I do have."
Nawal Musleh, a sophomore from Wichita, has been fasting since the age of eight. Although fasting can be draining when she's hungry, it opens her eyes to others who aren't able to eat.
With campus back in full swing, sometimes it can be difficult for students to take a step back and appreciate all they have in life. Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Arabic Studies Program, Naima Boussofara, believes that Ramadan helps students reflect and connect with who they are.
"Sometimes we get caught up
in our daily lives," Boussofara said. "Ramadan is a sacred month and it brings peace. People become nicer, kinder, gentler, and that's the essence of life."
As Ramadan comes to an end in a few days, Boussofara emphasizes the ideals of community and unity on campus and throughout the world.
"Even though Ramadan is for Muslims, I believe it shares the same values with other religions," Boussofara said. "There is a bigger openness and understanding. We are a community; the world is much bigger than us, than self."
Edited by Sarah Champ
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CLASSIFIES 9A CRYPTOQUIPS 4A SPORTS 10A
CRWORD WAS 4D OPINION 5A SUDDOK 4A
All contents, unless stated otherwise. © 2011 The University Daily Kansan
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