Thousands of students will fast for 12 hours on Oct. 3 for the 7^th Annual Ramadan Fast-a-thon, an event that started at UT in 2001 and has since spread nationwide.

The UT Muslim Student Organization held the first Fast-a-thon after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to dispel misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.

"There are 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide, but people only see the violence in the news, and we have to increase an understanding that there are a wide variety of people in the religion," said Adnan Khan, president of the UT Muslim Student Association.

We have to increase an understanding that there are a wide variety of people in the religion. Adnan Khan, president of the UT Muslim Student Association
The event also raises money for the Love Kitchen, an organization that provides food and clothing for homeless, homebound and unemployed people in Knoxville. For every person who signs up to fast, local businesses and individuals pledge a certain amount of money to donate.

Since 2001, the Fast-a-thon has become a national event, spreading to more than 230 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada.

"It's funny to think about how UT's MSA came up with such a mainstream event for other universities," Khan said. "When someone thinks Knoxville, they don't think Muslim activity. So something like that coming out of the south and with an MSA as small as Knoxville's getting big like that is definitely something for the university to be proud of."

Participants are invited to break their fast at 7:10 p.m. at a dinner in the University Center Ballroom prepared by local Muslim families. Sean Blevins, a lecturer in the UT Department of Religious Studies and a founder of the national Fast-a-thon, will speak at the dinner. Students who fasted are also encouraged to speak about their experiences.

"Everyone always has a different experience with the fast, whether it be incredibly difficult or easy or something interesting happened," Khan said.

About 800 people fasted for the event last year, raising $1,600 for the Love Kitchen. This year, $2,100 will be raised for more than 1,000 pledges.

"It's a pretty established event of this campus, and I think getting over 1,000 pledges fairly easily without really having to go out and actively promote shows this," Khan said.