In the spirit of its campaign “Our Ramadan: Our Light and Knowledge,” the Public Relations and Communications Department of Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with Baraka Innovations Company, organised an event titled 'Fasting: Between Continuous and Intermittent.'
The event featured notable alumnae of the university, including Munira al-Ansari and Jawaher al-Durwish, who shared their perspectives on the spiritual and physical aspects of fasting.
In a statement on the occasion, Eatidal al-Qatami, director of Communication and Public Relations at QU, underscored the university's commitment to community engagement.
“In addition to organising these joint activities that reflect our commitment to contributing to the building of a knowledgeable community characterised by health and awareness, we are currently focusing on organising Qatar University's annual gathering, which aims to revive Ramadan traditions, enhance internal connections, and promote solidarity and communication during the holy month, contributing to creating a stimulating and healthy work environment.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Al-Maha al-Sheikh, founder of Baraka Innovations Company, said: "This event marks our second collaboration with QU, as we organised the 'Barakat Al-Omar Diwaniya” event during Ramadan. This event serves as the first installment of the “Alumnae Companionship” series, which aims to engage in dialogue and meet with students to achieve righteous companionship.”
According to al-Sheikh Baraka Company pursues two main paths: social initiatives and contributions, including Saturday Diwaniya, Seerah Councils, and the Women's Volunteering Team, while the second path focuses on social entrepreneurship projects, represented by the Companionship Club, the Haroof platform, and the Circle project.
Reflecting on the significance of fasting, graduate Munira al-Ansari said it is essential for individuals to continuously strive for self-improvement. "When Allah Almighty imposed fasting on us, it was not arbitrary but rather to enable the soul to rebuild itself and strive to perform acts of obedience, she said while emphasising the importance of cultivating small habits that facilitate obedience, such as reading a page of the Holy Qur'an with each prayer, listening to Qur'anic recitation, giving charity, and supplicating for oneself, to maintain steadfastness in obedience.
Graduate Jawaher al-Darwish mentioned in her speech that sins do not provoke Allah, Almighty, as when a person errs, they have wronged themselves, and if they do good, they benefit themselves. "Allah Almighty lacks nothing, and He guides humans to themselves. Allah loves the person who strives to reform themselves and becomes a better version through self-purification to make the best choices.
"There is a life principle that states, 'If effort is exerted, accept what is present, even if the goal is not achieved,' and therefore, a person must not wait for the result but should strive to develop themselves and their soul, leaving the results to Allah.”
