MICHIGAN, October 29
(IslamOnline.net) - A nationwide campaign for non-Muslims to share iftar
with Muslims this Ramadan has gained popularity in the United States.
More than 100 non-Muslim students
abstained food and drink for one day of the dawn-to-dusk fasting month
as part of the Fast-A-Thon campaign, first launched three years ago.
The gathering was seen as a joint
effort to combat misconceptions about Islam in the United States as
well as raising awareness about the hunger in the country, The
Michigan Daily reported Wednesday, October 27.
“It gives students a day of
purification and also lets students discover how those in need feel
about having no food,” said Fast-A-Thon co-chair Zeenah Khader.
The Fast-A-Thon program, organized by
the Muslim Students Association, has been gaining popularity in the US
since it was launched three years ago.
Word spread quickly about this
year’s Fast-A-Thon, with about 180 non-Muslim students registering
for the event so far.
Non-Muslim students who participated
in the event last year encouraged their friends to fast, while at the
same time interest about the Islamic faith sparked some non-Muslim
students to get involved.
A day of fasting was easy for many
students, but the grumblings of an empty stomach still exhausted some,
both compelling them to appreciate the simpler things and allowing
them to understand Muslims’ devotions to their faith.
Ramadan is widely seen as a chance
for Muslims to further integrate into society and close ranks with
other community members in the vast country.
