On Tuesday, November 9, 2004, during the Islamic month of Ramadan, we encouraged Princeton University students, faculty, and staff of all religious backgrounds to fast along with the Muslims on campus to call attention to and address issues of hunger within our local community.  We also asked local businesses, university professors, and concerned individuals to make donations to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) for each non-Muslim who pledged to fast in solidarity with our less fortunate neighbors.

190 non-Muslim Princetonians pledged to fast!

And we were able to raise a grand total of $4,181 for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen!

In the evening, we all gathered in the Friend Center’s Convocation Room to share a delicious Mediterranean meal and converse . . .

 

. . . after marking the end of the day-long fast with an evening call to prayer - recited by Mustafa Tuna and translated by Hindi Hussein.  (Click here for Mustafa Özcan Güneşdoğdu's recitation of the Muslim call to prayer - adhan)

The President of the Rumi Club, Raif Rustamov, welcomed everyone to the event . . .

. . . as did the President of the MSA, Zakiyyah Finney.

At the podium, Mona Hassan coordinated the program as our evening's MC . . .

Rev. Dr. Thomas Breidenthal,
Dean of Religious Life, spoke of the importance of interfaith cooperation and understanding . . .
 

And the moment everyone was waiting
for . . . food!

While heading back to coordinate the meal . . .

We all had a chance to sit down and talk . . .

Mustafa Tuna shared his thoughts on the profound meanings of Ramadan and fasting in Islam . . .

And the Director of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Peter Wise, addressed the dilemma of hunger amidst plenty in our society . . .