For Najib Amiri, this year’s Ramadan experience was a chance to connect with not only his creator, but also himself.
“I am going to miss this experience,” said Amiri, the U Muslim Student Association president and senior in biology. “It is a time for forgiveness, family and my creator. I hope that I can continue to do these good things for the next 12 months until it begins again.”
Muslim students at the U ended their monthlong fast of Ramadan on Saturday. Ramadan is a daily fast during which Muslims eat only before sunrise and after sunset. Each day after breaking the fast, members have a prayer where scriptures from the Quran, Islam’s sacred text, are recited.
“I think America is more aware of Ramadan this year than last and that is because this holiday helps bring an awareness to the Muslim world’s beliefs,” said Cameron Kergaye, a former U student who recently graduated with a doctorate degree in civil engineering.
“It is a month for the body and mind to become one and change bad habits,” said Alexander Tatari, a German native who has been involved with the U’s Muslim community during Ramadan. “You can look within yourself and reflect on what you should change about yourself.”
The fast not only helps individuals of the Muslim faith to connect with their creator, but also to create empathy for those who are less fortunate, Kergaye said.
After ending the fast, the Muslim community begins a three-day celebration called the Eid ul-Fitr, which means “festivity to break fast” in Arabic.
“During Eid, you are to be thankful for what you have,” Amiri said.
In honor of the celebration of Eid, Muslim students and the larger Muslim community will have a small celebration all day today at the Salt Lake City Public Library.
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Mike MangumMuslims pray before having the feast. Typically they will pray for charity and strength to sacrifice, among other things. Muslim students at the U ended their month-long fast of Ramadan on Saturday.