Local Muslims will work through hunger pains to get closer to God while fasting

The month of Ramadan begins July 20 this year, according to the Islamic Society of North America. Because it occurs according to 29 and 30 day lunary calendar, the month of Ramadan starts 10 to 11 days earlier each year.

During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and intimate relations from dawn until dusk in order to become closer to God.

Fasting while cooking at a deep fryer all day is “absolutely painstaking,” Khabeer said.

Farida Mustapha works the deep fryer alongside her son.

“I just want to survive it in this heat,” she said.

 Khabeer hopes their ability to sacrifice and mindset will be noticed.

“I really wish, being a businessman, you put so much time into the business, [but] you want time to reflect,” Khabeer said. “You hope the work will pay off, God willing.”

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months for Muslims, a month in which reward for prayers and forgiveness from God is increased.

For Abuzar Baloach, president of the Muslim Student Association at UCF, the month is about more than just fasting.

“It’s not like you refrain from eating or drinking but then you are bad to people the rest of the time,” Baloach said. “You’re supposed to be a good human being. The fasting is another method of teaching self-control.”

The micro & molecular biology senior hopes to take advantage of this month.

“My goal is to pray and ask for forgiveness as much as I can,” Baloach said. “This is seen [by others] as a deed religion — how many good deeds you do and how many bad deeds you do, but it’s not really like that; it’s about God’s forgiveness.”

Baloach said the MSA usually has an event called a Fast-a-Thon, where the club invites non-Muslims to fast for a day to see what it’s like and spread awareness. Because Ramadan falls during summer this year, MSA hasn’t picked a day yet for this year’s Fast-a-Thon.

Baloach said that sometimes the Fast-a-Thon happens after Ramadan “because of everybody being so busy."