This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard and InterFaith Works of CNY.
Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen expresses that fasting during Ramadan is the key to sincere, deep, and universal thanksgiving. Ramadan always inspires an atmosphere of compassionate generosity in my family. My father, a tailor, sewed and mended clothing for poor people for free. My mom bought groceries for college students. Many people do not experience real hunger. If their stomachs are full and especially, if they are wealthy, they do not understand the value of a simple piece of bread or sip of water. However, someone who fasts comes to know that even dry bread is precious, a divine bounty.
Timur Saka is the director of Turkish Cultural Center of Syracuse and the event coordinator for Peace Islands Institute – Upstate New York.