In honor of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, students will fast to better understand religious practices of future patients

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - University of Michigan Medical School students will fast Wednesday in observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Last year 85 students and 10 faculty members participated in the fast and Fast-A-Thon 2010 will end by breaking the fast together with a dinner reception at 8 p.m. in the South Lecture Hall of the Medical School.
The Muslim Medical Student Association has organized the observation of Ramadan during which more than 1 billion Muslims fast daily. Ramadan is considered a month of blessing marked by prayer, fasting and charity. During Ramadan, followers of the faith do not eat or drink during daylight hours.
Participating in Fast-a-thon is expected to offer the medical students a way to understand how religious practices can affect the daily lives of patients.
For more information, call the U-M Health System public relations office, at (734) 764-2220.
