Today is
Continuing our effort to impact our community through our actions, CAIR-UIUC volunteered at the local Salvation Army. In addition to having a thrift store, the local Salvation Army serves as a base for the Stepping Stone Shelter.
Volunteers helped in a variety of tasks that involved assisting the thrift store in managing its inventory and streamlining its operations. CAIR-UIUC hopes to continue volunteering at the Salavation Army and other organizations throughout the community.
By Grace Rebekah Kenney
The University dining halls may not seem as full as before.
Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and purification, began Sept. 1 and will continue until Oct. 1. After fasting from sunup to sundown, Muslim students and faculty gather after 7 p.m. each day with friends and family to break their fast.
Muslim students are unable to eat in University dining halls because they close too early. To resolve this issue, the University has created a new policy on reimbursing uneaten meals for Muslim students on meal plans.
“I don’t really think it’s a problem because they really accommodate us,” said Sakina Tayebali, freshman in LAS. “Like one of my friends, he just goes down into the dining hall, and makes a plate and takes it up to his room.”
For students without a meal plan, Roveiza Irfan, junior in LAS, said she has chosen to eat meals with her family in Champaign-Urbana. Rabia Yaqub, junior in LAS, said she often has iftar, known as the fast-breaking meal, with her friends.
Hatim Rahman, junior in Business and board member on the Council of American Islamic Relations, said the community at the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center, 106 S. Lincoln Ave. in Urbana, prepares meals for students free of charge every night, which is convenient because it’s held after the prayer.
Fast-a-thon 2008 was the most successful Fast-a-thon in recent memory. Bringing together a broad coalition of student groups that have never joined together before, CAIR-UIUC along with Hillel, Indian Students Association, Muslim Students Association, Dharma, and Inter-faith in Action raised over $1200 for the Eastern Illinois Food Bank! This shatters the previous high amount by over 100%.
All of the cosposnors would like to thank Professor Rana and Rabi Naftali for coming out and sharing their inspiring thoughts with us, and all of the students and guests who fasted, attended and donated towards the cause.
CAIR-UIUC is looking forward to continue in joining our resources and efforts with other organizations to help address the persistent problems that afflict our communities.
WHAT: Fast-a-Thon
WHEN: Wed, Sept. 17, 2008 | 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: University YMCA
WHO: Sponsored by CAIR-UIUC, Hillel, Indian Students Association, Muslim Students Association, and More!
WHY: Be an agent of love. As St. Augustine describes, “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”
All Proceeds to Eastern Illinois Food Bank.
