Students fast to reflect upon God during Ramadan

For more than a billion Muslims, Ramadan means more than fasting from sunrise to sunset. As one of the five pillars of Islam, it is a time to reflect upon personal devotion to God.\nRamadan, which begins today, is a particularly special time for sophomore David Mitchell. He learned of Islam through his friends in high school during Ramadan and decided to convert to the religion when he was 17. He said exploring his faith deepened his spirituality.\nBetween sunrise and sunset throughout the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims give up food and drink, avoid sexual activity and cursing, said Katrin Jomaa, student advisor of the Muslim Student Union. Jomaa said Ramadan isn't solely about abstaining. Observing Ramadan also helps with self-discipline. \n"It helps you strengthen the bond with your creator, and you do it only for God," Jomaa said. "It's about your spiritual needs and how to develop as a human." \nDuring the holy month, Muslims spend more time in prayer and reading the Quran. By fasting during the day, they can have more sympathy for those less fortunate and become more thankful for what they have, she said.\n"If you feel their need, you appreciate more of what God has given you," Jomaa said.\nMembers of the MSU are hosting a Fast-A-Thon near the end of October to raise money for the Bloomington Community Kitchen. MSU President and junior Ozair Shariff said the event is to raise awareness about Ramadan to non-Muslims throughout the community. \n"We'll go hungry so others won't have to," he said.\nIn the early morning before sunrise, and again after sundown, many Muslims gather to break their fast together. Mitchell said breaking the fast as a community is unifying and brings a diverse population of Muslims to the dinner table.\nShariff said many Muslim students are away from home during Ramadan, and though that can be difficult, the sense of community at IU can help students increase their faith. He said the independence of the university setting has allowed him to grow spiritually. \n"In the university setting, we're all on the same page; striving to get even more out of Ramadan," he said.\nMuslims believe that God revealed the Quran to the prophet Mohammad during the month of Ramadan. This year, Ramadan starts today and lasts about 29 or 30 days. Since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, Ramadan is nine or 10 days earlier each year. When it occurs in summer during the longest days of the year, Muslims are still able to keep the fast, said Nazif Shahrani, professor of anthropology and Central Asian and Middle Eastern studies. \n"In questions of faith, you do whatever is put before you," he said. "Whether it is easy or not, you obey what God has said."\nShahrani said IU students should be aware that Muslims around campus and the world are fasting this month and should respect what they do for their faith. \nHe also wants IU students to learn more about Islam, and invites them to visit the mosque located at 1925 E. Atwater Ave.\n"We'd like to educate others about what Islam means to people around the world," he said.