Media Credit: Mariam Abuhaideri
Non-Muslim students raise their hands to signify their solidarity with the Muslims who are celebrating Ramadan.
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By Mariam Abuhaideri
A&E Editor
[email protected]
When Umair Ejaz, President of the Muslim Student Association announced for those non-Muslim guests who were fasting to raise their hands, a roomful of hands were raised at the first ever Fast-A-Thon held on Thursday, September 25 in the Campus Center Ballroom.
“This is great because I attended a Fast-a Thon at Georgia Tech and only two people raised their hands. I am very proud that the true purpose of this holy month is fulfilled,” said Ejaz.
The proceeds from the event, about $1200 are being donated to Project Open Hand, a local Atlanta charity in keeping with Islamic mandatory zakaat or charity. According to Islamic laws, every able and financially stable Muslim must set aside about three kilograms of a major food item consumed by the person during the year as fitra dispersed on the last day of the month, so that the poor can be fed and clothed. Fitra, however, is only payable to non-dependants.
Observance of fasts, refraining from food and water during daylight hours, becomes obligatory on all healthy Muslims from the day following the appearance of the new moon of Ramadan until the night when the new moon of the succeeding month occurs.
Those in attendance listened as guest speaker Brother Qureshi shared the importance of Ramadan.
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