WASHINGTON โ Every Ramadan, Republican lawmaker Dan Kildee prepares to observe one day of fasting with his staff during the holy month, the tradition which has brought the office closer.
โItโs something we kind of look forward to now,โ Kildee told ABC News on Tuesday, June 21.
โItโs a good way to understand one another, to at least take a moment to experience the ritual.โ
The tradition started when the Michigan Democrat was working during his election campaign for Congress in 2012.
Working around the clock, he realized that one of his Washington DC staffers, Ghada Alkiek, was keeping up while fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
โItโs, like, 18-hour days and, at one point we said we have to try this,โ Kildee, 57, said.
Kildee and several non-Muslim staffers fasted with her for one day of Ramadan that year, not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset.
They have continued the tradition in Washington, and Kildeeโs entire office fasts with Alkiek, now a staff assistant, for one day of Ramadan, a month when adherents strive to purge their sins and cleanse their spirit.
Sharing
This year, they choose Monday, June 20, the second longest day in Ramadan to fast.
They woke up at 4 am and shared photos of the early breakfast, or suhoor.
Staffers shared words of encouragement and videos about the meaning of Ramadan.
โWeโre counting down the hours together,โ Alkiek said, adding that the ritual has brought the office closer together.
โItโs really special to know that your whole team is fasting with you.โ
She hosted Kildeeโs office at her home Monday evening for โiftar,โ with roughly 40 people breaking their fast with dates, soup and a full meal.
Representing the Flint areaโs sizable Arab-American community in Congress, the tradition has taken on an added significance during the 2016 election cycle, especially after anti-Muslim comments by presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump.
โYou canโt hate up close,โ Kildee said of Trumpโs โignorance.โ
โWhen you get to know somebody,โ he added, โyou realize how similar we are.โ
