Ramadan Lecture Series (part 1 of 3)

"Fasting and the Discipline of the Soul" by Salman Masud, MD

Learn about Ramadan! This lecture series for all community members aims to spark interfaith conversations and inspire learning and understanding. Saturdays during Ramadan, Feb 21, 28, and Mar 7.

Fasting and the Discipline of the Soul: A Shared Spiritual Practice Across Faiths
Fasting is a practice shared by nearly all faith traditions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Ramadan is part of this long human history of voluntary restraint undertaken not for physical benefit alone, but for inner transformation. This lecture explores why human beings—alone among all species—willingly abstain from food and water and often find meaning and joy in doing so. Moving beyond health discussions, the talk focuses on fasting as a discipline of the soul, drawing on Islamic teachings and interfaith perspectives to reflect on the nature of the soul and its journey toward spiritual awareness and closeness to the Divine.

Salman Masud, MD, is a physician, educator, and community leader with decades of experience in academic medicine, ethics, and public service. He has served in leadership roles at Shriners Hospital for Children and the University of Utah, and has been actively involved in interfaith dialogue, chaplaincy, and community education. Dr. Masud speaks widely on Islam, spirituality, and ethical living, with a focus on fostering understanding and shared human values.

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