#FastwithDCMuslims!

Reflections on Ramadan

By: Julia Bizer

Earlier this week, I joined the #FastwithDCMuslims campaign and fasted during the day of Wednesday June 29. KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights joined with the DC office of Human Rights to invite DMV residents to fast for one day as a way to stand in solidarity with Muslims fasting during the month of Ramadan. This project is a one-day campaign on June 29 in the District of Columbia that empowers people to join DC Muslims during Ramadan by pledging to fast from sunrise to sunset on this day in solidarity and against anti-Muslim discrimination. This year I felt the pangs of hunger for the first time during Ramadan as I took part in the day-long fast. For the past two summers, I have watched my coworkers as they make many sacrifices – not many non-Muslims realize that Ramadan is also singled out as a time to be more charitably minded in addition to the fasting and praying—during the 30 days of Ramadan. In these past two Ramadans, I also attended my first Iftar, which is the daily prayer and meal time at the end of each day at sunset, when the fast is broken. I later helped KARAMAH host and serve at several Iftars, while making friends through fellowship in attending other organizations’ Iftars around DC. After getting to participate in the fun and social aspects of this month, I decided it was time to participate in the more well-known feature of Ramadan, the fasting. There was definitely time for some reflection on Wednesday, as I attempted to think about anything other than the slight discomfort in my belly or the dryness of my mouth as the afternoon and evening passed. I thought plenty about my co-workers and the Muslims around the world who do this for 30 days and the challenged it brings, especially in the summertime, when day is long and night is short, I thought about other fasts I had done, and fasting as a tradition in other Abrahamic religions Judaism and Christianity, and other religions as well. I thought a lot about the work of KARAMAH (I was at work after all) and the role I play in building interfaith bridges, pursuing justice, and fighting for gender equity amongst the other staff, interns, and volunteers at KARAMAH. While KARAMAH has a small staff in relation to many other organizations doing this type of work, it is a testament to the strength of character and genuine commitment to the mission that the organization has had such a global impact in the nearly 25 years this organization has existed. I think going without, even for one day, has the direct consequence of instilling gratitude; both the immediate gratitude of knowing my next meal is actually just a sunset away, but also gratitude on a larger scale. Gratitude for a God who provides, the life I have had the good fortune to live, and our incredible KARAMAH team.