Flesh and Spirit

Ramadan a time of reflection, strength

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Words Lacey Berdela

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Jassim Marwan puts his opportunity at an Ultimate Fighting Championship on hold to embrace his spirituality during the Muslim holiday Ramadan, in October.

Marwan, 28, a Financial Advisor for Farm Bureau, has been training for The Ultimate Fighting Championship for over four years; although he takes an entire month off, annually, to fast for his religion.  Ramadan is the month when Muslim families fast while the sun is up to represent the resisting of temptation.  Fasting includes all food, liquids, water, and gum. 

“It forces you to control yourself,” explained Marwan, “It gives me time to reflect on the past year.”
Taking an entire month to fast greatly affects Marwan’s daily routine.  Staying away from the gym, he looses a significant amount of weight and muscle, putting him exceedingly behind in his training. 
“I usually train about five times a week but it is impossible to workout without eating,” reflects Marwan, “It will take me about three months to get back into shape.”

With only a short time until his next professional fight Marwan admits he is cutting it close.  “With so much time lost there is no way I will be in the shape I prefer before my next fight.” Although Ramadan will affect Marwan’s chance at the UFC title, he would never compromise his passion over his religion. 

“It is my personal time to reflect on my decisions and actions.”

The UFC is based on mixed martial arts and takes extended amounts of time to train.  These fights are televised both domestically and internationally.  

It takes Marwan days to get accustomed to not eating while the sun is up. Taking naps throughout the day, he finds himself feeble and unable to concentrate. 

Marwan remembers preparing for the holiday when he was a child.

“My family would make us practice when we were kids, fasting for a day or two,” remembers Marwan, “My mom would wake us up before sunrise and force us to eat breakfast and drink lots of water.”

Ramadan begins when a child hits puberty and continues every year from that point on.  It is forbidden to fast while a person is sick or traveling, insuring no one’s health is in jeopardy.  Marwan has even fasted while serving in the military over seas. 

“I was deployed over seas to Germany during Ramadan and I still managed to fast.”
While this process is exceedingly difficult for Marwan he thoroughly enjoys the experience. “It leaves me being a better person spiritually.”

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11/08/2006