HOWELL, MI – The Cleary Muslim Student Association invites the community to a free talk about Ramadan by Br. Shoriam Vaid followed by a delicious catered Mediterranean dinner. Discover the benefits of fasting and learn about the Muslim month of spiritual renewal and gratitude. All are welcome.
Event Details:
Date: March 13, 2025
Location: Cleary University, Commons Building
Time: 7:10 to 8:20 PM
The event is organized by Cleary student and CMSA founder Wayne Taiman.
About Wayne Taiman
Wayne is a junior at Cleary studying Digital Marketing and Media Production Management. He chose Cleary for a few reasons: he wanted to play hockey, he liked the smallness of the university, and it was close to home.
He was born and raised in Dearborn, which has the largest Muslim population per capita in America. The son of immigrants from Afghanistan, Wayne faithfully follows the religion of Islam, which includes observing fasting for 30 days in the month of Ramadan. “I am not the best Muslim, but I always try to improve.
“I’m just a regular guy,” he describes himself. But Wayne is no regular guy. Last year, he started the Muslim Student Association at Cleary University and has conducted two events on campus to help “bridge the gap” between Muslims and all others,” he explains.
“When I first came to Cleary, I met many people who had never spoken to a Muslim before.” That didn’t surprise Wayne. “When people are unfamiliar with any group of individuals it is easy to have negative views of them, especially when that is thenarrative promoted by the media,” he reports. “That is why these events at Cleary are so important. They are a time to build connection, gain understanding and learn about the Islamic faith. We have far more in common than most people realize.”
Wayne is organizing a third event on Thursday, March 13 at Cleary Commons. “We will celebrate the holy month of Ramadan and enjoy a meal together at dusk.” In Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and a holy month of fasting.
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk for 30 days. “It is a month of spiritual renewal and gratitude for all the blessings we have received,” he explains. “It is a time to increase our God consciousness.”
Wayne is extremely proud of his upbringing. “My parents are very selfless people; they are amazing. I can never repay them enough for the great life they have given me. Family is everything to us.”
He seems to have accepted the media exaggerations and misconceptions that Muslims are hateful people who do bad things.
“We need to begin dispelling these untruths,” he says. “We do not attack innocent people. We condemn this 100 percent. It is completely foreign to our beliefs. Islam means submission to God.”
Wayne hopes through his efforts on the Cleary campus, some of the Muslim myths can be removed, and a greater connection can be built among all at Cleary.
“Please bring your family and friends to our event on March 13, learn more about us and enjoy a meal together,” he urges.
The short talk begins at 7:10 pm in Cleary Commons, followed by a catered Mediterranean meal with refreshments at 7:30 pm. The entire community is welcome.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a time when many families and friends come together for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the fast. They gather around the table to share food, express gratitude and strengthen family bonds. During Ramadan, Muslims recite verses from the book of Quran. They read the entire Quran during Ramadan.
The Pillars of Islam
There are five pillars in Islam – the core beliefs and practices:
1. Profession of Faith (shahada): The belief that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
2. Prayer (salat): Muslims pray five times a day. They can pray individually or at a mosque.
3. Alms (zakat): Muslims donate 2.5 percent of their annual income once a year to those in need.
4. Fasting (sawm): From dawn to dusk during Ramadan, all healthy adult Muslims abstain from food and drink as a reminder to achieve greater “taqwa” – consciousness of God.
5. Pilgrimage (hajj): Every Muslim whose health and finances permit it must make at least one visit to the holy city of Mecca annually.
Observant Muslims around the world unite during Ramadan for this daily ritual of increased worship, religious eflection, charity and good deeds.
The end of Ramadan is celebrated as Eid al-Fitr, the “Feast of Fast-Breaking,” which is one of two major religious holidays of the Muslim calendar. This year Ramadan ends on March 29.
