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IWU student group to host Ramadan feast
By Michele Steinbacher
msteinbacher@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — Figs, apricots and prayers will begin an Illinois Wesleyan University student-led feast marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The dinner, which breaks the fast observed from sunrise to sunset daily throughout Ramadan, will be at 6 p.m. today in the IWU Memorial Center.

Sponsored by the IWU Muslim Student Association, the dinner is free and open to the public, said the Rev. Dennis Groh.

“We’ll break the fast with figs, apricots, grape juice and milk, then say a prayer,” he said. More traditional foods for the festive day, which is called Eid al Fitr, will follow, including soups, stuffed chicken, tabouli and more, he said.

Abstaining from food and drink, as well as working to avoid violent, envious, greedy or lusty behavior, are part of the month’s observation, according to an IWU news release about the event.

“Nothing is supposed to pass between their lips during that time, not even water,” said Rebecca Gearhart, an IWU professor who acts as the IWU student group’s faculty adviser.

That sometimes can be a challenge when not living in a society where that fast is the norm, said Gearhart.

As part of Tuesday’s dinner, IWU alum Taaj Abdur-Rahman will present her 15-minute documentary about the challenges of observing the fasting month in U.S. society, said Gearhart.

Muslims believe that it was during the month of Ramadan that God revealed the first verses of the Koran to the prophet Mohammed.

Groh said some Muslims marked the holiday Monday evening while others will observe it tonight. Ramadan ended Monday.

“It’s a three-day holiday where the emphasis is to be with family and friends to show solidarity worldwide with Muslims,” he said.

At this ending celebration, it’s customary for people to dress in fine clothes, adorn homes with lights and decorations and share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.

On the day of Eid, practicing Muslims give charity called Zakatul Fitr and pray in mosques and Islamic community centers. Eid feast and prayers were offered Monday night at the Islamic Center of Bloomington.



From fast to feast



What: Eid al Fitr feast, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan

Who: Sponsored by Illinois Wesleyan University Muslim Student Association

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. today

Where: Davidson Room, Memorial Center, 104 E. University St., Bloomington

Cost: Free, open to the public

Information: (309) 556-3005

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Reader comments on this story - 2 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Where is my post, Pantagraph? wrote on Oct 24, 2006 7:37 AM:

" You'll print someone spouting biblical nonsense in a "Letters to the Editor" post but when I use a qu'ranic verse to prove my point it does not get printed? I see, you're just like our PC government and don't want to hurt the muslims feelings. Perhaps they served you a bowl of taqiyya at their 'feast'? "

Pantagraph reader wrote on Oct 24, 2006 6:42 AM:

" I wonder if the celebrations over here will be different then the way the Muslims celebrate Ramdan in the middle east? "
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