At least 100 UNM students might go to bed hungry on Wednesday - voluntarily.
For the second annual UNM Fast-a-Thon, students pledge to abstain from food from sunup until sundown for one day. For every pledge, a local sponsor will donate $5 to Project Share, a food provider for the homeless in the University area.
Amjad Musleh, who organized the fast, said the goal is to create greater awareness of hunger and homelessness within the community.
"We want people to know about Project Share," he said. "It's close to UNM and is always in need of volunteers."
The organized fast coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year during which all Muslims fast through the daylight hours. Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.
"Muslims fast all month long," Aaban Nawash said. "It wouldn't hurt for someone to go without eating food for just one day."
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At 12 years old, Nawash is taking part in his first fast. He said his family taught him the importance of giving to those who are less fortunate.
"It's sort of what Christians would consider a commandment," he said. "We Muslims are taught to have compassion for all the sick and all the hungry people in the world. Fasting is a good way to know what they're feeling all the time."
Nawash said he doesn't blame people who choose not to fast.
"I get that there are certain things that can keep you from fasting," he said. "All kinds of exceptions are made for children, sick people and the elderly. There are lots of other ways to help out."
Musleh suggested students who choose not to fast find other ways to contribute to the cause.
"They can cook or serve food at the center," he said. "We're just trying to get people aware of the situation."
The Muslim Student Association began taking pledges through its Web site and by approaching people last week. Musleh is pleased with the reaction from UNM students so far.
"We were out for just two hours and got 40 people," Musleh said. "We hope to be able to donate $500."
UNM student Jennifer Martinez said she likes the idea of such an important charitable event being organized by students.
"It's nice to know young people are concerned about these types of things," she said. "It's easy to get caught up in your job and school and forget that there are people in real need out there."
Martinez said she appreciates the effort by the association to create greater awareness of hunger, but she isn't likely to fast.
"It's just not for me," she said. "But I give props to those students who are going to do it."
Like the final day of Ramadan, the Muslim Student Association's fast will be broken by a celebration feast. Project Share will provide dinner.
