San Antonio Muslims invite residents to fast this Ramadan

SAN ANTONIO — It is Ramadan so... wait, what is Ramadan, exactly?

Ramadan is an Islamic holiday (similar to Lent) where Muslims fast- abstain from food and drinks (even water) as well as other vices - from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. People are encouraged to think of those less fortunate, practice patience, and devote time and energy to helping others.

Many people are unfamiliar with the struggle and discipline that comes from fasting. Therefore, officials at the Muslim Children Education and Civic Center (MCECC) are hosting their annual Fastathon, where local San Antonians are invited to participate in a fast and get to know their Muslim neighbors. For each person that someone joins in the fast, the mosque donates $100 to a local charity of your choice. This year, MCECC will be donating to Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) and HBond.

Sakib Shaikh, Director of Public & Community Relations, explained: "All people have to do is fast like us, no food or drink until the sun comes down, and they have to break their fast with us at the MCECC."

Many local politicians and officials have participated and broken their fast with San Antonio's Muslim community.

Shaikh explained, "Councilman [Manny] Pelaez has visited the community multiple times during the election as well as fasting with us during Ramadan. Councilmen [Greg] Brockhouse and [Rey] Saldana have fasted with us. All three major mayoral candidates from the 2017 election visited us. DA Gonzales has visited the community a number of times before the election, and once after, but maintains good relations with a number of prominent community members. Councilwoman [Ana] Sandoval has attended our Fast-a-Thon dinner in 2018."

Mayor Nirenberg is expected to fast sometime this year with MCECC.

For more information on the Fastahon, please see the post below. Be sure to also visit their website and Facebook page.