Huff Post: by Khurram Dara.
“When people ask, I explain that fasting is meant to teach us patience, sacrifice and humility… the discussion usually branches out into other segments of Islam,” says Omar Farooqui, a 26-year-old equities analyst in Buffalo, NY. Not only were his coworkers interested in learning more, some even took part. “One of my coworkers gave up French fries for the month, another decided to give up candy. My manager actually decided to fast for part of the month to support me. It really meant a lot.”
With just days left in Ramadan many Muslims are gearing up for Eid celebrations with friends and family. And as Islam’s holy month (during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset) comes to a close, some young Muslim professionals have found an unexpected silver lining in missing water cooler breaks, office birthday cake, and the perennial coffee run with coworkers. While Ramadan may have prevented them from partaking in many of the trivial office happenings throughout the day, it may have also provided them with an incredible opportunity to serve as ambassadors of their faith.
For over a decade now, activists in the American Muslim community have been searching for ways to curb the growing image problem that Islam faces amid oppressive regimes abroad and national security threats here at home. They’ve emphasized, time and again, that the violent radicals and fascist dictators cloaking their actions under the guise of religion do not represent all Muslims.
