Islamic Center brings fasters together

The Islamic Center will host a dinner for students to break their day-long fast each night for the month of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, which starts today.

"At sunset, there's a call to prayer and we will line up and pray. Then, we hand out water and dates to break the fast then set up for dinner," said Maheen Farooqi, president of the Islamic Center.

Before sunset, students can listen to speakers share their thoughts on the message of Ramadan.

The annual fast commemorates the anniversary of the coming of the Qur'an in the Islamic calendar. During the month, Muslims shift their focus away from their daily lives and focus on their faith. The Qur'an prescribes that Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during sunlight hours, practice sex or smoke. Annually on Oct. 27, Muslims come together for the Laylat-al-Qadr, the "Night of Power," to commemorate Mohammed's first revelation of the Qur'an.

Students will come to 238 Thompson St. beginning Wednesday night to break their fast as a group. Mehak Jamil, vice president of the Islamic Center, said this is one of the best times of the year because students are able to share a special connection to Islam with friends.

"After Ramadan is over, we always joke around saying that we're going through Ramadan withdrawal because we miss it so much," she said. "We usually don't get to hang out with our friends every day and this let's us get together and form the bonds that keeps us going through college."

Non-Muslim students are also welcome to attend the breaking of the fast, Farooqi said.

After the meal, there is a special prayer called "Taraweeh" held only during Ramadan, which will be held either at the same location, or at the New York Mosque at 3rd Avenue and 96th Street, she said. Most students then head home for the night, and wake up around 5 a.m. to eat a meal before sunrise, Farooqi said.

"It really shows us what it is like to go without food, and to see people from all walks of life makes it a very communal thing," he said. "Being around others for prayer is more rewarding than praying alone."

Jamil said they have tried to initiate a new program in which a Muslim student is asked to share their spirituality relating to Ramadan.

"When a student shares their experience, it is typically a spiritual moment where students enter into a 'zone' because they are trying to relate at a higher level," she said. "Everyone is kind of in awe."

Also, the association will hold its annual Fast-a-thon, a nationwide event that involves Muslim student associations from different colleges and universities, in which Muslim and non-Muslim students gather pledges for their fasting endeavors. This year, they hope to raise $5,000 in pledges to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Farooqi said the center is planning more programming for Ramadan, which has not yet been finalized. €¢