Omar Suleiman

So the only sleep that you're probably getting is actually a couple of hours in the morning before you go to work.

So it's everything sort of put together, the disruption of schedule, the disruption of diet, the physically exerting yourself.

But the way you feel

is unmatched.

I mean, you feel so fulfilled through that deprivation.

And it's actually the point, you know, it all ties back together when you talk about even tests and trials, that God does not deprive us of anything except that he gives us something greater in return.

And you do not deprive yourself of anything for the sake of God, except that he gives you something greater in return.

And so fasting is an exercise in patience that unlocks an infinite sense of gratitude and a greater connection to God.

Well, I think what that means is that we have a responsibility to teach and live our faith in the most beautiful of ways, that its values and ideals are not just expressed by you, but experienced by everyone around you.

And so what I often teach my community is that, look, if a Muslim's in the area, what are they—

What are your neighbors experiencing of you?

What are people experiencing of you?

You know, and there's statistics to Muslims being most charitable communities in America.

We're a community of great service, a community of volunteering, a community that greatly enriches the world around us.

I think that oftentimes people forget the history of Muslims being at the forefront of contributing in the areas of medicine and science and all sorts of ways, education, really changing the world through their commitment to faith.

But on a deeply personal level, it's important for us to be representatives of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in a way that makes Islamophobia impossible.

I tell people this, that it's very hard.

You mentioned the United States of Hate, the documentary, and the one man, the protester, who met me and sort of changed his worldview.

It's very hard for people to believe what they hear about Islam if they see you live it.

Now that does not excuse bigotry, that doesn't excuse the prejudice against Muslims, but it's important for us to sort of take it as a responsibility as Muslims to channel our faith in the most beautiful of ways.