 "Photo: Christine Galligan<br><i>Photo Editor</i>")
The Fast-A-Thon, a student led charity which raises money for various local charities, hosted its second annual fasting event last night at 7 p.m. in the Russell House Ballroom.
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) heads up the event each year and the Indian Cultural Exchange, the Red Cross at USC and the Saudi Student Association worked with MSA this year.
One purpose of the Fast-A-Thon is to further expose the student body to the Muslim culture and their peaceful traditions.
Sunna Raja, a second-year business student and MSA's Vice President, said they fast for two very important reasons.
"The whole reason behind fasting is partly so we can raise money for the Red Cross Disaster Relief, but it's also a statement of humility and reverence for those who follow the deeply spiritual customs of Islam," Raja said.
The event is open to anyone who wishes to go without food for 24 hours and donate money to a local charity.
Guests of all backgrounds crowded outside the doors conversing quietly to themselves, their faces smiling in anticipation of the event.
When the doors opened, students, faculty and guests alike crowded into the room adorned with white cloth covered tables. First, the guests were invited to eat thereby breaking their 24-hour fast as is custom in Islam.
After the dinner of firehouse subs, there was a short solemn time for prayer following a slide show presentation of photos taken from the devastation left in the hurricanes' wake this year.
This year, MSA, which consists of 20 to 30 students, chose to assist the American Red Cross through donations primarily because of the massive disaster relief needed from this year's onslaught of hurricanes.
The Red Cross services a disaster every 17 hours in over 10 counties, said Dalia Ali, the special events and fundraising manager for the Red Cross.
Stephanie Zejewski, a fourth-year chemical engineering student and the President of the Red Cross at USC, said the student chapter of the Red Cross was also glad for the assistance.
"This is defiantly our big kick off fundraiser for the semester," Zejewski said. "I think it's a really good reason to raise money and I'm so glad they picked the Red Cross this year for their charity."
Raja said many students see MSAas a solely Muslim organization and that is not the case.
"We welcome all students and actually encourage non-Muslim students to participate because it educates them," Raja said. "Over 100 students pledged to fast and donate money total."
Raja said MSA has yet to find out exactly how much money was raised due to some last minute donations that were made online.
For more information on assisting the Red Cross in the Disaster relief or in other areas visit www.Centralscredcross.org.
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