8A
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007
RELIGION
Jon Goering/KANSAN
Mohammed Algahta nj, Saudi Arabia freshman, prays Wednesday night at the Islamic Center of Lawrence. The Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts tomorrow. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset throughout the month.
Muslims observe holy month
BY SARAH NEFF
sneff@kansan.com
For the next month, Bazigha 'Tusail will not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. She will focus her attention on charity and doing good things for others. She will perform extra prayers at night and put extra effort into refraining from bad thoughts and bad deeds.
Tusail, Lee's Summit, Mo., senior, along with Muslims around the world, are celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan will be observed from today to Oct. 12. Muslims believe that during Ramadan, the gates to heaven are opened and the gates to hell are closed.
Tusail said Ramadan was a personal journey.
"It a time to recharge spiritually and focus on yourself." Tusail said. "You empathize with people who are less fortunate and know what it's like to be hungry."
Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, signifies the time that the Quran, the Muslim holy book, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Ala Abdel-Halim, Tulikar,
Pallistine, junior and president of the
Muslim Student Association, said there were benefits for Muslims to fast during Ramadan.
"It allows people to build self control and will power so they can control themselves and not be driven by their desires," Abdel-Halim said.
Abdel-Halim said Ramadan was also a time to give charity to the less fortunate. In Islam, charity includes both monetary gifts and doing nice things for others.
Barakat Makrami, Gizan, Saudi Arabia, graduate student and assistant director of the Islamic Center of Lawrence and of the Muslim Student Association, said Ramadan was the busiest month of the Islamic year. He said the Islamic Center would have speeches each night after the sunset prayer, guest speakers and activities on Saturday nights. He said anyone could attend the events.
"Ramadan has a special meaning to Muslims," Makrami said. "People who don't show up at the mosque all year show up during Ramadan."
The Muslim Student Association will end the month of Ramadan with Fast-a-Thon, a day where they invite non-Muslim students to with them. Tusail said it gave participants a chance
Ramadan Mubarak
If you see a Muslim today, wish him or her "Ramadan Mubarak." Today marks the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Muslims around the world will celebrate by fasting during the day and saving extra prayers at night. Both the Islamic Center of Lawrence and the Muslim Student Association have planned activities that are open to everyone.
The lunar month of Ramadan signifies the time that the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It will last between 29 and 30 days and will end with Eid ul-Fitr, a celebration to mark the end of the fast.
Sarah Neff
to better understand Islamic culture and to empathize with the hungry people around the world. The date and location of Fast-a-Thon are to be announced.
— Edited by Meghan Murphy
Dave Scherbenco/THE CITIZEN'S VOICE/ASSOCIATED PRESS
VIVRE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rabbi Linda Steigman, right, looks on as pat Dobroblowski lights a candle at the start of a Rosh Hasana services at the Temple in Kingston Pa.
Wednesday. The two-day festival of Rosh Hasana marked the beginning of the Jewish new year at starved Wednesdays.
Chabad Jewish Center organizes Rosh Hashana new year celebration
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
Rosh Hashana, commonly referred to as the Jewish new year, began Wednesday night at sun-down. This began the Jewish Year 5768.
Services began last night in the Burge Union. Thursday and Friday services begin at 10 a.m. in the Burge. Rosh Hashana ends Friday at sundown.
labels. No differences. Chabad is a home for every Jewish student."
The Chabad Jewish Center, 1203 W. 19th St., is hosting High Holiday Celebrations and Services on campus. Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, Chabad's executive director, said that during the new year the doors of heaven are open and God accepts all prayers.
"You may see yourself as unaffiliated, Reform, Conservative or Orthodox. At Chabad, we see you as Jewish," Tiechtel said. "No
Max Schnepper, Chicago junior and vice president of
junior and V Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish fraternity, said he usually returned home for the holiday but would attend services on campus this year.
Hashana.
Schnepper said Jewish students would use the new year's services to repent for their sins.
"It's a joyous time,"
"It's basicall
"It's a joyous time. It's my duty to my relatives and to my culture to go to services."
MAX SCHNEPPER Chicago junior
Schnepper said. "It's my duty to my relatives and to my culture to go to services."
Schnepper said teachers were generally positive about excusing absences of Jewish students who attended daytime services. No work is permitted on Rosh
just starting off the new year on a good note," Schnepper said. "It's similar to the regular new year where you make resolutions and try to make up for what you did last year and
try to better yourself."
Students interested in the Chabad Jewish Center or Jewish activities on campus during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which begins Sept. 21, can visit www.jewishku.com.
THEATER
Edited by Rachel Bock
'Antigone'has relevant themes for students today
BY MATT LINDBERG mlindberg@kansan.com
Sophocles' "Antigone" is a major part of the curriculum that students learn in "Western Civilization." Although the play was written about 2,500 years ago, the English Alternative Theater is trying to help students relate the story to their lives today.
Arts Center.
The theater began performing the play Wednesday at the Lawrence
"Antigone" is about a young woman who fights for her personal freedom against the government. The king, who is also her uncle, sentences her to death for burying her dead brother, who the king felt betrayed the state.
Paul Lim, English professor and artistic director of the English Alternative Theater, said he picked "Antigone" because he wanted to put on a play with issues students could
“Antigone' is about a strong woman going against a strong man, and she's making choices that affect her life.” Lim said. “It's similar to decisions we make, such as do we agree with President Bush's choice to go to Iraq? Or, should we not support our troops? It's extremely relevant."
The Lawrence Arts Center has worked with the English Alternative Theater in the past. Michael Ingle,
Lawrence Arts Center administrator, said working with the theater was exciting.
"It's always a positive experience for us when they use our stage," Ingle said. "We get a large turnout as well, as a lot of classes come to see the shows."
Students might be surprised by the show and the message it has. Sarah Smiley, Overland Park senior, said the show was worth the time.
"It's definitely important to
see 'Antigone' because it has a really powerful message," Smiley said. "She's standing up against her government, her leaders, for what she believes in. It makes you appreciate equal rights we have now."
"Antigone" will be performed at 8 p.m. tonight. Tickets cost $6 for students and $10 for the general public.
Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
play information
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 13-15 and
2:30 p.m. Sept. 15-16
Where: The Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.
Cost: $6 for students, $10 for the general public
For tickets call (785) 843-2787