March 10 – April 9, 2024
In observance and celebration of Ramadan, students, faculty and staff are welcome to use spaces on campus for prayer. Dates and bottled water will be available in the Interfaith Prayer Room, located in Building D, Room D290A (the second floor, by the elevators).
Special Thanks to Deena Atta, Enise Zorlu and the Muslim Student Association (MSA). Funding, resources, and support for this occasion are provided by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Building D, Second Floor, Room D290A.
(Near the elevator, above Starbucks).
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4.30 PM
Sponsored by Student Engagement.
Building A, Second Floor, Room A332.
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Visit Student Engagement in Building A, Room A336 for access.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It was the month the Quran was first revealed. During this month, Muslims, who are able, will fast from dawn until sunset. They will abstain from food, drink, and sexual acts. Yes, that includes water. But, Ramadan is more than just abstaining from food and drinks. While this sacrifice is a major component of Ramadan, we use this time to refocus and reposition our spirituality. Throughout the year, we tend to focus our Islamic requirements and duties around our day-to-day activities. Ramadan is a reset where we reflect as we put more focus on God, the Quran, sacrifice, and charity. We reconnect with loved ones, community members, and friends while we break our fast and pray together.
Fasting means to abstain. It is a commitment of the person's body and soul by also abstaining from sins or harmful acts. Throughout the year, we are tasked with abstaining from such acts. However, during Ramadan, our actions are at our forefront as we actively try to improve ourselves. As a result, fasting includes every part of the human body. For example, the tongue must abstain from gossip or harmful speech, eyes must restrain themselves from looking at those that are deemed unlawful, hands must not take that which doesn’t belong, ears must abstain from ease dropping, and feet must abstain from going to sinful places.
Another major component to Ramadan is the emphasis on charity and Zakat. “As one of the pillars of Islam, zakat is a form of obligatory charity that has the potential to ease the suffering of millions.” Growing up, we were taught that fasting is a way to understand and learn to empathize with those with less. In Islam, we have this concept that the wealth and health we have is not ours alone. We are blessed with them and, as such, it is our responsibility to give back. I think Hassan Minhaj describes it well. In an interview, he said, “the concept of zakat and giving is about giving back because it doesn’t belong to you. And I think one of the things we often forget here in America is there is a sense of entitlement. ‘Hey I’ve earned this… I owe it to nobody.’ Zakat specifically is about giving because you were lucky enough to be bestowed wealth and health and it is your job and duty to share it.” It really emphasizes our role within the community and collective human race.
Earlier, I mentioned “Muslims who are able.” Not all Muslims can fast. Those who are pregnant, are ill, or have medical conditions where fasting may be harmful will not fast. This may also include those with eating disorders where fasting may be a trigger. In many cases, an individual can make up those days later in the year. If they cannot make up the days, they pay “Fidya,” a donation, instead. Those who are ill and cannot afford the Fidya are encouraged to reach out to the local mosque leadership for guidance but may not be obligated to pay if they truly cannot afford it.
Muslims come from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. As a result, different countries will celebrate the month of Ramadan by incorporating their own cultural practices. In the end, we all celebrate the closing of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr, translated as a celebration of breaking fast.
Ramadan Mubarak!
