Fast-A-Thon raises money for Hoboken Shelter
Mike Azzara
Issue date: 9/25/09 Section: Campus Life
As the sun sets on the Hudson River and the New York City skyline begins to light up, a feast is about to begin in the Skyline Room. The feast was the culmination to the 5th Annual Ramadan Fast-A-Thon. Organized by the Muslim Student Association (MSA), along with the Malaysian Student Association (MaSA) and the Indian Undergraduate Association (IUA), the Fast-A-Thon asks members of the Stevens community to fast for one day from sunrise to sunset. Local businesses pledged to donate a certain amount of money for every person that would fast. This money is going to be given to the Hoboken Homeless Shelter, which provides meals and a few other services to the homeless. In total, the event raised $210 for the homeless from 44 students who pledged to fast.
People were gathered from the MSA, MaSA and IUA, as well as a few others who were fasting throughout the day. However, once the sun goes down, everyone gets to eat in abundance. For those who are Muslim it is the month of Ramadan, where they fast from sunrise to sunset. The common misconception is that it is just food and drink that Muslims fast from - such is not the case. Muslims also fast from all sexual activity, as well as negative attitudes. It is their practice of self-control and strengthening their will-power. Others, however, who were not Muslim, were also there to break their day-long fast. Some were supporting their friends, while others did it "for the free food and the free shirt," according to one sophomore.
Sheeraz Hyder, President of the MSA, organizer of the Fast-A-Thon, said "the Fast-A-Thon, a national movement held at college and universities all across America, combines two of the five fundamental pillars of Islam: Fasting and Charity to your fellow man." Amongst the people who showed up was a Stevens faculty member, Professor Adebayo Ogundipe (also called Brother Abedin), a research fellow for the Center of Environmental Systems. Once everybody sat down, he was given the opportunity to explain to others the purpose of Ramadan.
He said that fasting comes from a long line of tradition; it is not just about religion, but also about the life one leads. He referred to the month of Ramadan as a sort of "spiritual boot camp," where people recharge their batteries in order to get through the next eleven months. He said that it is the time of year when one tries to bring together their physical, intellectual and spiritual sides, instead of focusing on one over the other. According to Brother Abedin, the idea is that by the end of the month one will have reached a higher spiritual awareness - a spiritual state where one can feel their relationship with God.
People were gathered from the MSA, MaSA and IUA, as well as a few others who were fasting throughout the day. However, once the sun goes down, everyone gets to eat in abundance. For those who are Muslim it is the month of Ramadan, where they fast from sunrise to sunset. The common misconception is that it is just food and drink that Muslims fast from - such is not the case. Muslims also fast from all sexual activity, as well as negative attitudes. It is their practice of self-control and strengthening their will-power. Others, however, who were not Muslim, were also there to break their day-long fast. Some were supporting their friends, while others did it "for the free food and the free shirt," according to one sophomore.
Sheeraz Hyder, President of the MSA, organizer of the Fast-A-Thon, said "the Fast-A-Thon, a national movement held at college and universities all across America, combines two of the five fundamental pillars of Islam: Fasting and Charity to your fellow man." Amongst the people who showed up was a Stevens faculty member, Professor Adebayo Ogundipe (also called Brother Abedin), a research fellow for the Center of Environmental Systems. Once everybody sat down, he was given the opportunity to explain to others the purpose of Ramadan.
He said that fasting comes from a long line of tradition; it is not just about religion, but also about the life one leads. He referred to the month of Ramadan as a sort of "spiritual boot camp," where people recharge their batteries in order to get through the next eleven months. He said that it is the time of year when one tries to bring together their physical, intellectual and spiritual sides, instead of focusing on one over the other. According to Brother Abedin, the idea is that by the end of the month one will have reached a higher spiritual awareness - a spiritual state where one can feel their relationship with God.