VCUQ students teamed up with the Qatari Students Club - part of Qatari Student Network and Muslim Youth in Education City (MYEC) to organize the 2006 Fast-a-thon.
The purpose of the Fast-a-thon is to encapsulate and share the spirit of Ramadan with all those who have never experience the month of Ramadan. The students involved in organizing this event strongly believe it will help provide for a great learning opportunity about the culture and religion of Qatar for all.
"Fast-a-thon started first time, in Qatar, last year and was organized by Qatari Student Network. We took the responsibility this year with MYEC to coordinate and organize the event together. In Fast-a-thon, we are trying to help people around us to involve in our society and share with them the true meaning of fasting that teaches self-restraint. We also trying to help the society understand and feel the meaning of charity and giving." said VCUQ Student and Qatari Student member Sara Mustafawi
"After a few joint meetings both of our groups have come to the conclusion that the best way to share Ramadan is to get people to partake in the practices of Ramadan. These practices include fasting, charity and instilling a mood of good will and righteousness. We jointly decided to plan for a fast-a-thon. The concept of a fast-a-thon is similar to a marathon but in "practice" it can be quite different." Said CMU student and MYEC member Omar Khan
The idea of this event is to ask faculty and students in different universities in Qatar who never fasted before to try to fast a day in Ramadan and then gather them all together to break their fast.
The event hopes to instill a mood of proactively, encouraging volunteer work and clarifies the importance of student activities and their role in the global society as well as strengthening the hub that we started between students from different educational sectors as individuals and clubs.
Those taking part in the Fast-a-thon will fast for one day or part of one day. The charity organization will collect the funds from those who kindly donate and Iftar (breaking the fast meal) will be provided to all participants and invitees. A small speech regarding Ramadan's importance and spirituality in Islam will also be delivered as well at Nashid (religious poetry)
An 'Experiencing Ramadan' session, will also be held where Non-Muslims may speak about their experiences and how they felt about fasting.
The Qatar Building Company is the main sponsor also for the Fast-a-thon.
