AREA MUSLIMS GATHER TO PRAY, FAST AND CELEBRATE RAMADAN

About 50 area Muslims gathered Sunday to feast on chicken, vegetable and rice dishes featuring the flare of Middle Eastern spices.

The gathering at the Johnson Faculty Center House on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University was to observe Ramadan, a month-long Muslim holiday.

During the observance, devout Muslims pray, fast from sunrise to sunset, and abstain from other "pleasurable" things. Fasting, or siyam, for Muslims is one of the main pillars of Islam, according to the Qur'an Allah, their holy book.

When the sun sets, Muslims like to break their fasts by eating dates and other appetizers, praying and sharing a meal.

Sunday's gathering was a social event, but the men devoted time to pray facing their holy city, Mecca.

"This gathering is a chance for Muslim families in the area and students to get together," Omar Aziz said. "Back home, we normally do this every day. But things are so busy in this country. This is the first time we have gotten together."

The Muslim calendar is slightly different than the standard 12-month calendar the United States recognizes, but Ramadan typically is observed during February in this country. Muslim countries might start their observance within a day or two of Feb. 1 from year-to-year.

Dr. Khalid Khan of Cape Girardeau has been in the area for 11 years. He said Muslims enjoy getting together to share food, socialize and foster relationships between Muslim families living in the area and students who attend the university.

"Most of the students don't cook, so it gives them the opportunity to have something from back home," he said. "The whole point of the fasting and praying is to remind us to be better people and to do good things."

When the sun went down Sunday, dates and other appetizers were served to the gathering with a punch made from rose petals.

The men then were led in prayer by a layman priest, while they faced east towards Mecca, their holy city in Saudi Arabia. After prayer, dishes prepared by some of the area families were served.

"We usually do this every day during Ramadan at home, so this is really nice for us," said Anis Somji, the president of the Muslim Student Association at Southeast Missouri State University. "This gives us a chance to meet some of the families and promote brotherhood between us."

Somji said many of the Muslim students miss the food from their home countries. He said the MSA has about 35 students representing almost 15 countries.

"The food was excellent," he said, "and it's important for us to get together and do this."

Another gathering in observance of Ramadan is planned before the end of the month and the Eid Ul Fitr celebration.