Muslim Student Association and Peace by Piece held a meeting about the significance of fasting in Abrahamic religions during the first half of Cardinal Hour in room 1708 on Wednesday.

Roughly 40 students attended as officers from both clubs spoke about fasting traditions in each religion. This was the first time both clubs collaborated together.

“It’s always better when we come together to look at our similarities instead of our differences because, in reality, we have more similarities than differences,” senior and MSA president Yousef Salem said. “Other than the fact that [Muslims] fast in the day, we [all] come together as a family and as a community.”

MSA discussed the spiritual, social and health benefits of fasting during Ramadan, including promoting self-discipline, equality and a regulated diet. Ramadan starts on Feb. 28 and ends on March 29.

“We remind ourselves of the importance of God and how we’re just strangers in this life, so the important thing is to focus on what’s after this life,” Salem said. “What we fast from, like food, water, smoke, drugs, anything that’s bad or tempting [helps us] all become more resistant towards these temptations and closer to God.”

Peace by Piece spoke about fasting traditions in Judaism and Christianity, covering practices like Yom Kippur, Tisha B’Av and Passover in Judaism and fasting to focus on prayer in Christianity.

“I was glad to be in an environment where people were openly allowing themselves to be educated by the three Abrahamic faiths and how they do fasting,” junior and Peace by Piece vice president Benaiah Trevino said. “I thought people were supportive, and it makes me happy to see that people were interested in wanting to learn more.”

Junior and Peace by Piece president Aiden Gross described fasting as an “umbrella term” for reflection, calling it “soul diving.”

“Peace by Piece is a club focused on love and understanding that differences are what make people unique and what make our society run together,” Gross said. “It’s so important to realize, share and embrace that, rather than be afraid and run away from that.”

To learn more about MSA, follow its Instagram at @bellairemsa or join its Remind at @msahalabi. To find out more about Peace by Piece, follow it on Instagram at @bhspeacebypiece or its Remind at @faith2gthr.