The sun went down, and the feast began Thursday as people filled the floor level of the O'Connell Center in honor of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar.
The Ramadan Fast-a-thon, hosted by Islam on Campus, was open to people of any religion, and about 500 people attended.
Osman Zafar, chairman of the event, said the organization asked all participants to fast Thursday to experience for one day what Muslims experience the entire month of Ramadan, which takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
This year, Ramadan spans the month of September. During Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset.
Everyone who attended the event was treated to a dinner catered by Chutnees and Falafel King that included hummus, chicken, rice and salad.
The day's fast was broken with dates and water at 7:35 p.m. following a reciting of "The Sunset Prayer."
Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the first Muslim to lead a prayer at the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke to students about the purpose, benefits and power of fasting.
Siraj Wahhaj said that man's first sin, as agreed on by people of Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions, was to eat something that was prohibited. Fasting is prescribed to Muslims in the Quran, and it will raise both consciousness of God and consciousness of the poor, he said.
"One of the greatest developments of self-control is to control what you put in your mouth," he said to the crowd.
Siraj Wahhaj said that if students are able to fast from food, drinks and sexual relations during the daylight of Ramadan, they will continue to have a positive discipline after it is over.
"If you can stay away from water during the month of Ramadan, think of how easy it will be to stay away from alcohol," he said.
Zafar said Islam on Campus members have asked local businesses for merchandise donations that will be auctioned off closer to the end of Ramadan. The proceeds will go to the St. Francis House, a local emergency food shelter for the homeless.
"Last year, we raised about $5,000," Zafar said. "We're looking to raise that amount."
