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Showing restraint: Students, teachers fast in honor of RamadanFriday, September 26, 2008
Haneen Wadi's faith has been mischaracterized. "Islam is about submission to God, and it's a peaceful religion," the Central High School senior said. "I want people to know that it's only a minority of people who participate in violence and act against the faith." Wadi created Islam Others & You, a group dedicated to addressing questions about Muslim practices and beliefs. The group's first event, "Fast-a-Day," was Wednesday. Throughout September, Wadi and about six other Muslim students at Central have been fasting in honor of Ramadan. This week, they invited non-Muslim students to participate. "It helps show people what we are doing and why," junior Farrah Malik said. About 55 people pledged to fast, and about 20 students attended an ethnic dinner Wednesday evening to break the fast. During the dinner, Wadi presented the basic beliefs of Islam, her sister Noor Wadi described Ramadan and Malik tried to build awareness about world hunger. Pakistani chicken, rice, kebabs and hummus were served, along with cake, cookies and brownies. Parents and students cooked the food. "Fasting is so you stop thinking about your physical needs and think about your soul more," Malik said. "It shows you how other people in the world are feeling when they don't have food." Parents contributed $250 to a world hunger charity based on the number of people who pledged to fast. Ramadan is a holy period characterized by prayer, reflection and self-restraint. From sunrise to sunset, Muslims do not eat or drink. People who are sick or elderly and women on their menstrual cycle do not have to fast, although they are asked to make it up later or feed a poor person. During lunch at school, both Malik and Wadi talk with friends or complete homework in the library. "The word fasting in Arabic is restraint. You control what goes in and comes out of your mouth, so there's no cussing or lying or backbiting," Wadi said. "You obtain self-restraint and God-consciousness." Librarian Julia Jorgensen, the club's sponsor, fasted this week for the first time. She missed morning coffee the most. "I'm embarrassed to say I had a caffeine withdrawal headache. ... I certainly have a new appreciation for people who fast. It really did bring home that world hunger aspect," she said. lbavolek@semissourian.com 335-6611, extension 123 Comments  The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, use the exclamation point icon beside the comment to send a report to the webmaster.
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89
Peace dear readers.
First of all I think (some of) you are jumping to conclusions without the facts. I was present at this event- an after school function that was open to the public. This took place inside the cafeteria where the parents and students provided the food and supplies, though as with other extra-curricular activities the group was permitted the use of the fascilities.
The group is called "Islam, Others, and You"- not a discriminatory group which if the members wish to present information on other types of fasting to raise money for the world hunger organization, they are free to do so.
What is so wrong with understanding another perspective? If your student attends a World History class, they will indeed learn the basics of the 5 major world religions (as there are more muslims than Catholics in the world, Islam is definately one of them). I know this because I learned about them in my public high school. There is nothing wrong with learning about one another and forming peaceful relationships. We should ENCOURAGE the children who are making a far greater effort than the majority of adults to work for the greater good.
What offends you so much I wonder? Is it your own prejudices? Is it the inability to accept that others think differently from you and are present in your community? I most emphatically tell you that nobody was told to accept Islam as their religion, to change their beliefs, or anything of the sort. (Though you might expect that because of the way christians behave, I find the pressuring that is done by such christians to be vulgar because I strongly believe that faith comes from within with the Guidance of God). There was a brief presentation of an overview of basic Muslim beliefs, emphasis on how and why Muslims fast, and a hunger awareness bit. People were invited to ask questions, and to feel free to look at the cultural items on display while the Muslims performed their prayers.
In case you have forgotten.. One of the basic rights of this country is freedom of religion AND the free exercise thereof insofar as it does not interfer with the rights of others. In what way does prayer harm or violate the students' rights? They are free to pray and read from their religious books. The problem with "religion in schools" is the force or compulsion for students of different faiths to comply with another faith or practice. I saw nothing whatsoever of this at the Fast-a-Day dinner.
Perhaps it would be better not to make assumptions, or form beliefs without first researching and gathering factual information. Seek truth and let it be your guide, for all Truth is with God, and unto God we all shall return.
Peace.
peace guys,
the fast-a-day was designed to allow students and teachers alike to experience what an impoverished person in a third world feels on a daily basis without having any dinner after sunset. It was a fund raiser to encourage people to show more concern for those in other parts of the world.(the IOU club is up to $500 for the world hunger organization)
Muslims are encouraged to be especially charitable and generous during the month of Ramadan.
The Ramadan fast-a-day was an opportunity for people to empathize with the hungry.
The prayer that you see a picture of was not a feature event of the program that night--it was a necessity. The Muslims in attendance had to pray the post-sunset prayer, or they would have missed it.
It actually came as a surprise to me that the photographer chose that picture.
Participants showed their care for world hunger, AND understanding between different faiths.
By the way...Islam and Christianity are more similar than some people think. They both trace their roots to a common ancestor - Abraham.
The Quran confirms the Ten Commandments.
Muslims must love their neighbors.
People who posted notes accusing Islam of being other than just, merciful and peaceful are ignorant about Islam because God says in the Quran that whoever takes a life "...unless for a soul or corruption [done] in the land it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one-it is as if he had saved mankind entirely..." (Chapter 5:Verse 32).
BABE, you are such a d******. They weren't praying IN THE CLASSROOM . . .
Get some meds.
Oh good grief! Muslims are allowed to pray in the classrooms while Christians have to rally around the flag pole to do so? The article is unclear but it sounds as though they used the cafeteria to cook and eat, too. As another poster suggested maybe we can include Catholics. The priest could give a high mass in the cafeteria and have a nice meal afterwards.
Amen.
After reading some of these comments I'm even more grateful that My God has many rooms in His house.
This is, according to the article, a CLUB, which means it is an extra-curricular activity centered around the interests of the students. Options are WIDE OPEN for clubs. THEY took the initiative. Good for them.
Uh ok back to the point of the article... I can sort of see what the purpose of allowing this in public scruels is... and that might be to promote understanding and awareness of other religions and/or cultures.
However, I tend to wonder if they are going to promote learning of the fasting practices of most catholics and other religions during the lenten season with as much zeal as it is promoted here. What about learning about the jews and their fasting practices, the sabbath, hanukkah -- or really all popular beliefs. I bet Kwanza already is.
Christian students can gather, sing, pray, etc. all they want in your local public schools. Before you get all bent out of shape, make sure you know what you're talking about. Nobody's discriminating against Christians at your local schools.
Hey slim---I don't need to contact them. We're going to ND..See ya..
Thanks Nil--The professor was the only speaker that the teacher had all year discussing religion. I would have had no problem if there would have been Christians and Jews there to defend what they believe. That isn't what happened. It was a one sided discussion that in my opinion is unfair. There was no alternative voice. If a Jew, Hindu or some other religion comes to Notre Dame to give a different viewpoint that is fine, but Notre Dame will also give their side of argument.
bulletman:
The Creativity Movement is looking for a good Christian foothold in Missouri. I bet jump at the chance to organize a charter school in Cape Girardeau. You'd be a natural ally, and you even have a school-aged child to enroll. Look 'em up, they'll love you.
bulletman: Was the Muslim professor just one of several speakers on different religions in the world? Or was he the lone voice on religion? I'd bet Notre Dame High School and most of the other good private schools in the area spend a good bit of time discussing other beliefs and a good teacher might actually invite a Rabbi or even an Imam to better explain those beliefs and to answer questions from the class.
In the context of inviting various speakers on different world religions there should be no problem with having such a speaker. The statements that seem to offend you are just accurately stating the beliefs of a 20%-25% of the earths population.
Ah, what a shallow gene pool . . .
Hey slimpickens---You are typical of what public school parents think. If my son gets out of line I WANT him punished..IF that is expulsion then so be it. I can just imagine what would happen if a public school teacher had a speaker in a class of muslims saying that Mohammed was a typical man but was NO prophet. Lord can you imagine the backlash on that teacher, if they lived through it. Now you know why Notre Dame is planning on expanding their building.
Good Luck and God Bless!
Hey bulletman, allowing groups of ALL faiths in OUR public schools helps keep OUR kids from becoming terrorists of another sort. I hope your son has fun in his new cookie-cutter school. When he steps out of line, Bro. David will send him packing back to Cape public.
absolutely ridiculous...I thought that religion was not allowed in the public schools. What gives? Does this group pay to rent the space for their worship after hours? Praise Jesus.
I've got news for you. My son was in middle school and his teacher had a muslim professor from the college come in the class and say this Jesus was NOT the son of God but he was a good man. He also said the Jesus never rose from the dead. It is a fact that this happened as I checked with other parents that had children in the class. He will be in High School at Notre Dame..No more of this for me.
Christians are allowed exactly the same rights. Their are Christian student groups at Cape Central like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes & Awaken. They have activities and say prayers on school grounds. This is no different.
Seperation of church and state is a good thing. Without it, lots of church leaders would be in jail for civil rights violations. If you are a Lutheran or a Catholic, go to the church/parish and ask the pastor/priest for a letter of recommendation to get your daughter into the seminary to study to become a priest or a pastor.
Can someone from the Cape school district please explain how this is allowed when Christians are not allowed the same rights.
With learning comes understanding.
Separation of church and state is another arguement.
They kick the bible out of school but let this in? No wonder the USA is falling on it's knees and soon to bow to other nations. Lord come quickly.