Muslim Student Association raises Funds for Hunger Relief Organizations

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) brought their hunger relief awareness to the University of Michigan-Dearborn for their second annual 2FastFeed Fastathon, which raised about $1200.

Approximately 120 students across campus wore purple, aqua blue shirts, and numbered bibs to the university on Thursday, Nov. 20.

The day-long event included the Islamic tradition of fasting from sunrise to sunset and abstaining from food and drink.

Participants celebrated their fast with an array of foods and desserts, and they shared their stories about 2Fast2Feed as well.

Ayesha Sheikh, a first time participant in 2Fast2Feed said, “It was amazing to see people of all races and ethnic backgrounds come together in the school community for a good cause.”

Through the act of fasting, 2Fast2Feed also emphasized community outreach. This year, the proceeds that came from the $10 pledges went to local hunger relief organizations, like the UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry, ACCESS, and Zaman International.

All of these community partners were represented at the charity dinner and representatives Brigitte Fawaz (ACCESS) and Monica Boomer (Zaman International) shared a brief overview of their organization and how they reach out to the community.

As the dinner concluded, other strong supporters of 2Fast2Feed, such as Vice Chancellor Henderson and Dean, Martin Hershock took the stage to reflect on their fast and share their experience with the audience.

“It’s not just about the physical part. You use the physical part to create a sense of sacrifice because it is takes you to a place where you can be more in tune with yourself,” said Vice Chancellor Henderson. “That is an appreciation that you don’t have unless you have actually done the fasting. I find what MSA does with the fastathon to be one of the most meaningful things in the 10 years that I’ve been at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.”

Following Vice Chancellor Henderson was CASL’s Dean, Martin Hershock. He gave some insight about his fasting experience by making the connections across many years of history.

“I was reminded as I fasted of the situations and circumstances of many others both in the present day and in the past,” he said. “It was a very empowering and moving experience.”