For people who observe Ramadan, doing so is an annual event.
Serene Akkad, a junior International Affairs major and event coordinator for the Muslim Student Association, said the fast during Ramadan is intended to help cleanse the soul and body, to help practitioners get closer to God, and to return them to their roots.
“It teaches us to always be thankful,” she said.
However, American Muslims have a special challenge when celebrating this holy month.
“Here in America, we have to continue with our daily lives,” Akkad said. “In Arab countries, they shut down their stores during the day; they spend their time with their families, and everyone is fasting. Here we see people eating, and we’re reminded of the true benefits of fasting and why we’re asked to fast.”
Muslims in the Albuquerque community are encouraged to maintain their fasting, but they may choose not to complete it. In Islamic countries, breaking fast during Ramadan is against the law and could result in up to four years in prison.
Necip Orhan, executive director of Raindrop Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Turkish-Americans, said fasting during Ramadan is about compassion and understanding the struggles of those who are less fortunate.
“They try to understand how hungry people are living,” he said. “They do it for God, but it’s also about trying to understand poor people.”
Richad Mounir, a lifelong Muslim from Morocco, said the reason Ramadan is important is that it’s the month in which the Quran was delivered from God.
“Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam,” Mounir said. “The other four are declaration of God as the only god and Muhammad his only prophet, prayer five times per day, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca. These practices are very special during Ramadan. I do this for my God. I am happy. I want to understand how other people feel.”
Kevin Haaf is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.
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