Muslim students at Davidson College have joined hundreds of others across the country in organizing a fund-raising fast Wednesday, Oct. 3, to raise money and awareness about hunger in the U.S.

The fast and fund-raiser is tied to the Islamic month of Ramadan, which began Sept. 13. Muslims fast during daylight hours as an act of submission, solidarity, and remembrance. One of the main reasons for fasting is to call attention to those who go hungry every day, not merely as an exercise of religious expression, but as a fact of life.

The Muslim Students Association is asking non-Muslim students to “go hungry for a day so someone else won’t have to.” For each student who fasts for a day, participating businesses and sponsors will donate one dollar to local non-profit emergency food shelters.

At the end of the day, participants will be invited to break their fast with a meal prepared by Davidson students. That event is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m., in the Davidson College Union Atrium.

Organizers said Friday they have about 120 students signed up so far, along with eight sponsors.

Organizers at Davidson are hoping to raise $1,000 for the Mooresville Soup Kitchen. The Muslim Students Association at the college is seeking donations from both individuals and businesses. To help out call Fareed Cheema at 631-944-1243 or facheema@davidson.edu or Nafisa Isa, 704-894-4543/naisa@davidson.edu