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[ Friday, November 05, 2004 ]

 

Highlights of Thursday's Fast-a-thon

-Having my Poli Sci GSI (grad student instructor) agree to fast for a day, despite the fact that she would have half an hour to eat before playing in a softball game. Subhan Allah, her game ended up being cancelled due to the bad weather anyway. It goes to show you that if you have the right intentions, things usually work out for you.

-Exchanging knowing smiles with P, a Christian Indian friend, and meeting up with her after class as she told me about how her fast was going. She was unable to attend the iftar because of her meeting.

-Having my Chem GSI - looking a bit lost and unsure of himself - be the first person to show up. He stayed for most of the iftar and enjoyed the food. He's so cool that he let me cut in line with him when I asked, but he had better adab than me - He actually turned around and asked the Muslims behind him if it was ok with them first. Talk about a reminder of how I should be.

-Seeing my Head Chem GSI, who tutors students on a weekly basis, show up and stay to break his fast, even though he had to leave early for a meeting. When I first met this man, I never would've imagined that he would know anything about Muslims, let alone be fasting with us for a day. I couldn't look past his cursing, "bad guy" front, talk of alcohol and drugs, and somewhat inappropriate references to see that he really is a nice guy who's willing to go out his way for his students. A few weeks ago, he proctured the chem midterm later for Muslim students so that we could break our fasts and do salah before taking the exam.

-Having my seeeeester drive for almost two hours to attend the iftar, greeting me with a huge grin.

-Spotting the girl from the Stop the War Coalition table in line, ready to break her fast. I had randomly handed her a flier and pledge form a couple of days earlier, explaining how with each pledge to fast for a day, local businesses - through the MSA - would donate towards a local hospital.

-Greeting K, a middle aged Asian classmate from last semester, as he stood in line. Despite the fact that he had been fasting all day, he continued smiling as usual as he described his "new experience."

-Hugging D, a Sikh student who has fasted almost every single day for the past two Ramadans. She's now a regular at the cafe iftars.

-Talking to a middle aged woman about her fasting experience. She said that she usually fasts on Fridays just for the heck of it.

-Being served by the Afghan sisters who provided the iftar at the cafe. Masha Allah they stayed up late the night before preparing the appetizers. Alhamdulillah everyone loved the food.

-Sis P saving a brownie in her pocket so that I could eat it later.

-Attending the amazing halaqa afterwards that lasted two hours. The topic was about our different stages of life, focusing on death.

-Fitting my car beyond capacity with sisters in order to drop them off safely to their apartments after the halaqa. Roadtrips, even short ones, are bonding experiences.

-Noticing the bright stars on the drive home and saying "Alhamdulillah."

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