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The 2011 Internet Multi-Faith/Faithless Fast In Solidarity With The Mooslims

Aug 07
Posted by admin in Adventures of Q

Meet @HollyMVG, @JenzTweets @g_ack, and @UpSheepCreek.   We also have Sunshine and Genevieve (they’ll be posting comments here on the blog since she has no twitter).

They have decided  (partially because they are insane, and partially because they want to know what I’ve been whining about the past week) to fast one day in the Muslim tradition this coming Tuesday, August 16, 2011 during this month of Ramadan.

I am extremely flattered that they would even consider doing this.  So I thought perhaps I’d open it up to anyone else who wanted to try fasting one day this month and we could all compare notes, give support and make a sort of ‘thing’ out of it.

If you’d like to join us, leave a comment here with your twitter handle so we can follow you.  On the 16th, we can use the hashtag #TryFasting to see what everyone is saying, feeling, craving, etc.

To fast in the Muslim tradition, there are a few basic, universal rules:

  1. You fast between dawn and sunset.  Here in Austin (CST) that will be between 5:49 am and 8:09 pm.
  2. Fasting means no: food, liquid (water or other drink), smoking, drugs, gum/candy/mints, or sex.
  3. You should break the fast as soon as possible after sunset, without delaying.

 

Now.  If you’re interested in really experiencing the fast in a special way, I recommend a couple other things:
  1. On that day, plan some act of charity even if it is small.  The purpose of the fast is not only for spiritual purification but to teach empathy for those who have no choice but to go hungry and thirsty.  A small donation, some bottles of water handed out to some homeless folks…it doesn’t have to be big…
  2. Try to take some time during the day to reflect on what you’re doing and why.  If you’re religious you might try a prayer.  If you have no faith tradition, a simple meditation on sacrifice, empathy for the poor, or the need for proper food and water for every human being on earth.

 

And finally some tips:
  1. Prepare in advance–you WILL feel crappy, so arrange your early morning meal and your fast-breaking meal ahead of time so that it requires minimal preparation.
  2. If you are prone to caffeine withdrawal headaches, pop a couple Advil with your morning meal.  Trust me on this.
  3. Stay busy.  You may feel bad, but you’ll feel 10x worse if you just sit around all day and think about being hungry.
  4. Talk to other people about your fast and join in our Twitter discussion.  It totally helps to have moral support.

 

Muslims fast for 30 days during Ramadan and it takes a lot of discipline.  You may be shocked at some of the feelings you have during the fast.  Anger, fear, confusion or just self-pity are common when you’re fighting back the ego. On the other hand, you may realize that hunger–real hunger–SUCKS.  And the fact that people in the world go to bed hungry every night is something we should all be working hard to fix.

 

Fellow Muslims — Feel free to join in the conversation and leave fasting tips or words of encouragement for the participants.
*artwork is “Hungry Man” by Jocelyn Shipley
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