Andy Elder: "Like a reunion or homecoming of sorts"

Andy Elder compares his approach to Ramadan as similar to training for a marathon. The holy month is a delicate balance, he says, between the richness of homecomings—and the sometimes-agonizing self denial of the fast. Here are Andy’s reflections …

You prep for the long days the closer Ramadan gets. If you’re
running a marathon and you’re early in training, you’re running 6, 8, 10
miles.
    By the time Ramadan begins each year … I’m ready. I’ve done my training.
    Everybody’s got it in the back
of their mind because they’ve done it before.
    I enjoy it because I see people during Ramadan I don’t see throughout
the year. I love that time. It gives you the opportunity to do
something above and beyond, whether it’s hosting a dinner or giving to
charity.
    It’s like a reunion or homecoming of sorts. It brings everyone
together under one location. But it’s not just about the food.
    It’s
about sacrifice. It’s about fighting several times a day with the devil
in your head. It’s fighting temptation, which strengthens your mental
resolve for life.

    Come back each day for more inspiring profiles of our Muslim neighbors in America. Email us to let us know your thoughts—or click on the Comment link (at right), please.