Ramadan in Illinois - Up with the sun
Crossroads Story by Arshia Wajid, 01/30/96

It is 5 a.m. The sky is still dark, and the window panes vibrate as crisp,
wintry air whips them endlessly. While most individuals are comfortably 
snuggled in their warm comforters, Katterah Akkasiriskul, freshman in LAS,
wakes up to eat a light meal. After praying, she goes back to the warmth 
of her bed and doesn't wake up until her first class.

Akkasiriskul is not alone in waking up before sunrise to eat and pray. 
During the month of Ramadan, her actions are mirrored by billions of 
Muslims all around the world. During this holy month, Muslims are 
obligated to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.

Since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, Ramadan falls at a different time
each year. This year, Ramadan began on January 22, and is expected to last
until February 19 or 20, depending on the sighting of the moon. Fasting is
incumbent upon all healthy, adult Muslims and holds many benefits if it is
performed sincerely.

Edward Renollet, senior in LAS, converted to Islam three years ago and 
finds Ramadan to be a "blessed time for the remembrance of the bounty and
Mercy of God."

"Fasting helps me to come into total peace with myself and my relation 
with God and His creations. It helps me to see things in new ways that I 
had never seen them before and to reflect on my purpose and true function
as a human being," he said.

One of the main purposes of fasting is to attain the pleasure of God by 
obeying His Divine command. Qur'an, the Holy Scripture of Muslims, states:
"Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down as a guide to 
humanity and as a clear sign for guidance and judgement (between right and
wrong). So anyone of you who witnesses the month should spend it in 
fasting..."
 
Akkasiriskul, whose father is Thai and whose mother is Native American, is
celebrating Ramadan in Urbana-Champaign away from her Springfield home for
the first time. "I miss the delightful experience of breaking fast and 
praying in congregation with my family...but then again, I do have an 
extended family here (in Urbana-Champaign) at the Mosque," she said.

Fasting does not merely entail avoiding food and water, a misconception 
that is held by many. Muslims face a great challenge during this month 
since they are required not only to fast but also to suppress their temper
and to control their tongues and evil desires. Only then can Muslims gain
the maximum rewards for fasting.

Khizer Husain, junior in LAS, had this to say about the personal 
significance of fasting, "Fasting reminds me of the power of self control
over my bodily wants. This self control falls not only on the ability to 
abstain from food and water, but also to abstain from idle talk and 
gossip. Fasting is flushing the mind and body of superfluous thoughts and
regaining control."

Abstaining from food and water helps divert one's mind from the 
materialistic life and concentrate on worshipping God alone. A sincere 
believer makes a consistent effort to control his or her tongue from 
back-biting, lying and using obscene language.

He or she will engage in spiritual activities such as reciting the Holy 
Qur'an, praying, glorifying and thanking God and seeking His forgiveness.
Fasting renews physical and spiritual disposition for the pious Muslim. It
also helps build character because it demands patience, compassion, self 
control and kindness toward fellow human beings.

Renollet, known to many Muslims as Ahmed Khalifa, notes that in 
Urbana-Champaign, Ramadan is "the time of year where we as a community put
aside our worldly distractions for the month and come together as brothers
and sisters for the warmth of our companionship and the pursuit of 
worshipping our Master, The One God, Allah."

A spirit of satisfaction and brotherhood can be observed in Muslim 
communities everywhere as families gather in each other's houses or at the
local Mosque to break their fast and pray in congregation. The Central 
Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC) in Urbana-Champaign, 106 S. 
Lincoln, holds community dinners on weekends and sometimes on weekdays. 
Supplementary prayers known as tarawith are also offered every night.

"The mosque is open to all, whether they are Muslims or not, whether they
fasted or not. It provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to taste
ethnic foods from various Middle Eastern and Asian countries," 
Akkasiriskul said.

Fasting involves not only creating a bond with the Muslim community, but 
also feeling the pain of those in poverty.

Husain said, "The oneness with the community ties into actually getting a
taste of the pains of being needy and in constant hunger. Fasting prompts
the heart to help fellow community members and give to those less 
fortunate."
 
This attitude parallels that of Muslims elsewhere in the world. 
Akkasiriskul said, "Fasting shows how it feels when people are starving 
and have nothing to eat or drink for weeks. It puts us in their place so 
that we would be more likely to help." 

Daily Illini Online -- UIUC -- 1996/January/30

Copyright (c) 1996 Illini Media Company, all rights reserved.