Five days after President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban, UF students refused to eat Tuesday, a show of solidarity with their Muslim peers.
And at 7 p.m., after fasting from sunrise, about 500 UF students and faculty members gathered and shared a much-needed meal.
During Islam On Campus’ 14th annual Fast-A-Thon, held at the O’Connell Center. UF President Kent Fuchs addressed the crowd, some of whom felt angry at Trump’s executive order restricting the travel of citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.
“I know that many of you, like me, have felt the effects of President Trump’s executive order,” Fuchs said.
He called for students of all religions to come together in light of Trump’s ban.
The Islamic tradition of fasting involves abstinence from food, water, smoking, sex and cursing between sunrise and sunset. Fast-A-Thon participants could donate to Helping Hand’s Water for Life charity and local nonprofit Radiant Hands Inc.
Visma Masudi, a member of Islam On Campus, said Fast-A-Thon brought people together after Trump’s divisive ban.
“See from our perspective, see what we believe in and what we love about the religion,” the UF biology sophomore said.
Masudi, 20, said she wants to believe her generation is progressive, but at times feels disrespected because she’s Muslim.
“America’s ignorance astounds me at times,” Masudi said. “A lot of progress is happening in the country, but a lot of people still have their hidebound views.”
After spending four years as the only Muslim at her 1,700-person high school, Maryam Akinyode, a 21-year-old UF international studies and political science senior, came to Gainesville and joined Islam On Campus.
She could finally be herself.
Akinyode, Islam on Campus’ vice president of external communications, said the organization received almost 50 Facebook messages over the weekend expressing support after Trump’s executive order.
“The best way to show support right now is to come out and just talk to us, because we’re here,” Akinyode said. “We’ve always been here, and we’re not going anywhere.”
About 500 attended Islam On Campus’ 14th annual Fast-A-Thon at O’Connell Center.
