The holiday season traditionally is the season to give and receive, and for some U of M student religious organizations, the concept of helping others and giving, is alive and well.
The Christian Student Center is having a food drive for the first time this holiday season. Cans of food will be collected at their Christmas banquet on Dec. 8. The cost is $8 plus two cans of food.
"This is the first year for us to do the food drive," said Wendy Boydstun, a junior majoring in religion. "All proceeds will go to a local foodbank."
Boydstun said the CSA had a clothing drive in early November. They collected new and used clothing and gave it to The Downtown Church located in the heart of Memphis to be distributed to local needy families.
Normally the month of December is not the time to diet and most people would not contemplate cutting out their favorite foods and drink and helping those in need. They especially would not consider fasting.
But for the Muslim population, Ramadan is a month of fasting, maintaing self control and doing good works.
This year, Ramadan coincides with the Christian holiday season. It is based on the Muslin lunar calendar and the fasting started Nov. 27 and will end on December 26.
It will take another 30 years for Ramadan to occur over the Christian holiday.
In addition to fasting, married couples refrain from sexual intercourse. Neither smoking nor drinking is allowed, whereas people are supposed to develop patience and control their will and determination.
The members of the mosque also collect donated items to give to local Memphis area families in need. Bayakley said whatever is left over will be sent overseas to countries in the most distress.
"There is also a special prayer for the morning, and one for the evening," said Dr. Nabil Bayakley, director of The Muslim Student Association.
Bayakley also said daily life and normal activities do not change, but people are supposed to concentrate on doing good works for others and spend time reciting the Koran and praying.
He said every day after sundown, Muslims get together for an evening meal where they eat dates -- a traditional food, milk, soup and a main course. At the end of the month everyone will gather at the mosque and celebrate the end of their month-long fast.
To celebrate this achievement, children receive gifts from their parents and congregation members.
"The adults just hug each other," he said.
Other religious campus organizations are getting into the spirit of giving.
The Black Student Association gives food baskets every year to a family in need.
"We solicit area businesses such as Krogers," said Tonie Johnson, a senior who works with BSA.
"We try to put together a nice holiday meal in each basket," she said. "We also take donations."
The Baptist Student Union also plans to bring some cheer to Memphians by caroling at a local nursing home.
Reed Willis, president of The BSU said on December 9, they are having a progressive dinner with a cultural food theme. The public is invited to attend.
"After school is out," he said. "I plan to spend time with my family in Olive Branch."
