(U-WIRE) LOS ANGELES — As the sun set at 4:56 p.m. Thursday, more than 100 University of California at Los Angeles students joined fasting Muslims in breaking their all-day fasts in Kerckhoff Grand Salon.

The students participated in the Muslim Student Association's Fast-a-thon. The event was designed to teach other students about the fasting that takes place during the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan, a religious holiday that calls for fasting, inner reflection and religious devotion, began last week and will last a month.

More than 13 businesses sponsored the event and pledged to donate $1 for each individual who participates in the event. The money raised will be donated to Health Fair for the Homeless, which is scheduled to take place Nov. 16.

Students participating in the breaking of the fast ate dates and drank water while they patiently waited for their meals, which were over 45 minutes late, to arrive.

More than 165 non-Muslim students fasted from sunrise until sunset in an attempt to raise money to feed the homeless and gain a better understanding of Ramadan.

"I chose to fast because I'm good friends with a member of MSA," said Jonathan Huynh, a junior. "He's exposed me over the years to the Muslim culture, and I felt that today would be a really good chance to step into his shoes and experience what he goes through for a month."

Some non-Muslim students who participated said the event helped them better understand the feeling that some homeless people feel on a daily basis.

"If you remember the people who are experiencing this hunger and don't have a choice, it helps you to get through the day," said Tina Park, a freshman who fasted.

MSA believes sharing the experience of fasting with other students will allow people of multiple backgrounds to come together for a single cause.

"This has been a really great community effort because people really wanted to join — it has been such a good experience uniting people of all different religions to help the homeless," said Bennish Pervez, a member of MSA and a junior.

"Fasting during Ramadan teaches Muslims the beauty of restraint," event sponsor Hassan Siddiqi said, "and anyone who participated in this event will better understand self-control."

Fast-a-thon unites Muslims, non-Muslims at UCLA

By Jennifer Case

Daily Bruin (U. California-Los Angeles)

11/07/2003

—Jennifer Case