UF students of all faiths will fast from sunrise to sunset today as part of Islam on Campus’ 10th annual Fast-a-Thon. The day will conclude with an event at 7 p.m. at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, and attendees do not have to fast.
“We just want to share the experience with them with hopes of expanding understanding and awareness of Islamic religion and this aspect of our religion, which is very beloved, ” said the organization’s president, Abidah Ali, a 21-year-old political science senior.
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset every day during the holy month of Ramadan. The event is also a fundraiser for groups that help the hungry and homeless.
Ali said about 900 people attended last year, and the organization raised about $5,000. This year, Islam on Campus hopes to top that.
The money collected will be split evenly between Project Downtown, a Gainesville nonprofit that feeds the less fortunate, and Islamic Relief, which aids in the Syrian humanitarian relief.
“In Islam, there is this obligation to first take care of the community you live in, and then if you can fulfill that obligation, you can help aid those who aren’t in your community,” Ali said.
The treasurer of Islam on Campus, Hunaid Ismail, said he expects the event to run the way it usually does: Once the sun sets, everyone heads for the food.
“If you fast, or even if you don’t fast, you understand how grateful you should be,” Ismail, a 20-year-old accounting junior said. “You actually have food in front of you.”
