Students who participated in the Fast-A-Thon were offered free dinner Thursday evening at the International Center after the fast was done and were encouraged to share their personal experiences and thoughts on how their fast went. Food was provided by restaurants such as Sultan’s, Pizza House, Bell’s Greek Pizza and Grand Traverse Pie Company.

Dena Elian, an international relations junior and head of the education board for the Muslim Students’ Association of MSU, or MSA, said the diversity of food sponsors was a different strategy from last year, and was a good change.

“Especially with what we’re trying to do, the diversity of sponsors is really important,” Elian said.

For every student who participated, one dollar was donated to the Greater Lansing Food Bank by AI Fusion Sushi and Grill. Human biology sophomore Sarah Malik, spokeswoman for the MSA, said this gave people another incentive to participate.

“While they fast, they are also helping someone else get a meal for the day, or eat for the day,” Malik said. “There’s a lot of people in the world who cannot afford food and cannot eat it, so it’s an educational experience for us to kind of learn what they go through.”

Elian said the Fast-A-Thon was delayed because Ramadan happened to fall in the summer, but the event still ties in with Ramadan, even though it has passed.

“(It) tears down the walls of religious intolerance,” Elian said. “During a time (when) there are so many preconceived notions, we’re trying to get people out to experience a new thing.”

Muslim and non-Muslim students alike were encouraged to get involved in the event. No-preference sophomore Kristy Morell, a non-Muslim, enjoyed the experience because it was for a good cause.

“Just to be a part of something like that, it’s really special,” Morell said.

Elizabeth Dunham, an international relations sophomore and a non-Muslim, said she was approached by someone in one of her classes and asked to participate.

“I thought it’d be cool to be put in (a Muslim) mindset. … It was a hands-on experience,” Dunham said.

Both students said they would be interested in participating in the event next year.

Malik said the event has been put on for more than five years. She said MSA hosts the event each year to educate people and show them the reason why Muslims fast for a month during Ramadan.

“People think of it (as a way for us to) promote our religion,” Malik said. “That’s not what we’re trying to do.”

Staff writer Andrew Krietz contributed to this report.