Today marks the beginning of Ramadan, a month in which Muslim University students will join millions all over the world in fasting.
As proscribed in the five pillars of Islam, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, chew gum or smoke from sunrise to sunset. The fasting continues until Feb. 9, when Muslims begin to celebrate the Eid-ul-sitr.
The Eid continues for three days and includes large feasts, the exchange of gifts, decorations of lights and Eid prayers.
Asif Harsolia, president of the Muslim Student Association, said that the MSA will sponsor several activities during this holy month.
"The organization will be doing many activities in coordinance with the mosque," Harsolia said.
The MSA plans on hosting a Ramadan meal program that will help feed the hungry or poor, provide dinners for students on campus after sundown and provide transportation to students who wish to go to the mosque. The group will also send Eid cards to Muslim students informing them of functions, and letters to faculty discussing awareness of the religious holiday.
"It is a time to get the true spirit of Ramadan," Harsolia said. "It is basically the best month of the year. It is the time to be on your best behavior, to purify your soul and to demonstrate selfless restraint, which all have a lot to do with building one's character and spirituality."
LSA junior Amer Zahr, a member of MSA, said Ramadan is a time for religious reflection.
"It is a time of inner reflection and devotion to God," Zahr said.
Students and other residents in the area attend Ann Arbor's only mosque - at the Islamic Center of Ann Arbor - on a regular basis, said Carolyn Al-Qadi, principal of the Michigan Islamic Academy.
"On a regular Friday, there are about 300 to 500 people packed in here and on holidays there are over 1,000 people," Al-Qadi said.
In addition to praying five times a day, Muslims also say a special prayer during Ramadan. The Tarawih prayers are nighttime prayers that are to be done after the regular daytime prayers.
For Tarawih prayers, Muslims do a ritual of bowings in sets of eight, 12 or 20. The person leading the prayer will also read one-thirtieth of the Koran, Islam's holy book. During Ramadan, Muslims will do a complete reading of the Koran.
Zahr also said Ramadan is a time to appreciate what God has given to people.
"The goal is to experience hunger and the feeling of what it is like to be unfortunate," he said.
LSA sophomore Bisan Salhi will also be participating in the fast and has done so since she was 13.
"It is important because everyone loses track of things with their everyday activities," she said. " It is a time for you to re-evaluate the important values that go along with being a Muslim."
Salhi also emphasized that she has a different motivation than some other Muslims.
"You should fast for yourself," Salhi said. "It is supposed to be a spiritual cleansing."
Ramadan commemorates the time when Mohammed brought the Koran to the people. Muslims believe this was a message sent from God that told the people the criteria for right and wrong.
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
Abdul Haq, a local physician, prays yesterday at the Ann Arbor Islamic Center. The prayer was part of a
ceremony commemorating the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Islam's most important holiday. Ramadan requires Muslims to refrain from eating.