The UW Muslim Students Association is asking people to fast for one day as it gears up to host its second annual Fast-a-Thon today at the Red Gym.
Last year, the group raised about $300 for a local food pantry, according to MSA Vice President Nabeela Baig.
\We have people from the campus community fast along with Muslims for one day, so that people understand what it's like for people who aren't as privileged-as we all going to school are-in terms of having food all the time and not having that be an issue,"" Baig said.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslim adults are required to give up eating, drinking and other pleasures from dawn until sunset as an act of obedience. One of the main reasons for fasting is to sympathize with those who are less fortunate.
""The Ramadan Fast-a-Thon is aimed at raising money for and creating awareness of the large number of people who go hungry in our cities every day,"" an MSA statement said.
According to a 2002 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, 34.9 million Americans were unable to buy enough food to feed a household.
""This issue of hunger is one that is always present,"" Baig said. ""It's important to recognize people who are working to try to solve this problem proactively, like food pantries, for instance.""
MSA is trying to reduce the hunger rate by donating all Fast-a-Thon's proceeds to the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Food Pantry, 953 Jenifer St., which serves Madison's East Side and most of the Isthmus.
""Our appreciation is deep and heartfelt,"" said Gary Kallas, executive director of the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. ""We are ecstatic that this student group has chosen to benefit the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center.""
The proceeds will help the pantry provide more nutritionally balanced food, Kallas said, and will allow for more emergency food assistance. This is crucial due to the upcoming winter months and the holiday season.
This year, MSA is hoping to raise up to $500, according to Baig.
""We as Muslims and we as people in general should be more aware of these issues that are present in our everyday lives,"" Baig said.
Each volunteer is asked to donate $2 to the MSA, sign up to fast at the MSA Web site-http://msa.rso.wisc.edu-and participate in a dinner Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. on the second story of the Red Gym. Home-cooked meals will be provided by local Muslim families.
