DEARBORN — Many in the Detroit Metro region’s large Muslim population are fasting during holy month of Ramadan, but they’re not alone. A number of non-Muslims are fasting as well.
Some tell the AANews that they’ve been observing Ramadan for years, while others said that this year marks their first time on the journey.
These are their stories.
Eli Hoerler is working in a kitchen in a midtown restaurant for the summer and is preparing for a two year stint with the Peace Corps in Morocco.
Before he embarks on his venture, he decided to fast for the full 30 days of Ramadan to learn more about the religion and culture.
“It’s been something that I thought about doing for a while,” he said. “I was just reading about it and it seemed like a good thing for me. Ramadan is about patience, self restraint and discipline. Those are things that I can stand to learn something about.”
Hoerler described his first day’s experience as excruciating. But as someone who doesn’t identify with any particular religion, he described the journey as an avenue that’s brought him closer to a higher power.
“I would say the whole month has been a very spiritual experience for me,” he said. “I feel much more open to God. It’s been a very introspective experience. I’m really thankful for that. I feel the most spiritual in the time just before I can eat, when I’m the hungriest and thirstiest.”
Hoerler noted that working in a kitchen makes his fasting even more difficult. He said the food doesn’t necessarily get him hungry, but the heat in the kitchen can often make him thirsty.
He also has to ride his bike to and from work daily, traveling up to 12 miles without any water.
“The bigger problem is the heat,” he said. “On regular days, I would drink almost a gallon of water. It’s really difficult not to drink water, especially because I don’t have a car and have to ride my bike. You have to be real careful not to get dehydrated.”
Hoerler said his colleagues at work, the majority of whom aren’t Muslim, were intrigued that he’s been fasting. It gave him an opportunity to explain to them what the purpose of Ramadan entails.
“I tell them it’s about patience and self control,” he said. “Everybody seems to get it. I think people have been really open to it. There’s one person at work whose concerned I’m starving myself, but she’s an outlier. My parents have been really supportive. My Muslim friends have been really supportive, also.”
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