Muslim students at Stan State share how they celebrate Ramadan and how they manage their schedule during this fasting period.
The holy month of Ramadan began on Feb. 17th. During this time, Muslims prepare to fast for about a month, refraining from consuming any food and water until sunset.
They start each day by waking up before dawn (suhoor), eating a nutritious meal and drinking enough water to sustain themselves before they fast for the day.
The time for breaking the fast is at sunset (iftar), as Muslims are able to break their fast by eating and drinking water.
Samiya Sanguilan (Junior, Public Health) discussed how she organizes her class schedule to keep herself on track while fasting, feeling that it is important to take breaks whenever she feels tired.
“Let’s say that for one day I’ll focus on this class and doing its homework and then the next day on this class while also trying to listen to my body,” Sanguilian said.
She enjoys fasting and praying with her family and friends. Sanguilan also eats many traditional foods from her culture, such as sinigang, a Filipino soup.
“It’s basically a soup, with fish, basically and it’s really good. It’s on the saltier side, It’s just a comfort meal for me,” she said.
Alina Khan (Junior, Biology) celebrates Ramadan with their family by cleaning and decorating their house.
“We put on lights and lanterns or candles, vines like fake vines and Quran quotes,” Khan said.
During Iftar, she gets together at her local mosque and prays with other muslims, also breaking her fast with them. She specified the kinds of foods she eats at the mosque.
“They have a lot of food. It could be pizza, rice, chicken, just anything anyone brings, like pasta, it’s a mix of all the food you can think of. It’s like a potluck,” she stated.
Maryam Alburati (Senior, Psychology and Liberal Studies) talked about what Ramadan means to her, reflecting on how it’s a time of focusing on prayers and personal goals.
“I think it’s just a holy month for everyone to better themselves. It’s nice to put yourself in the shoes of others to recognize there are people out there who go through this every single day. I think that’s why it’s most special to me,” Alburati said.
The Quran is the holy text Muslims read, making it a significant part of Ramadan, especially for Alburati, whose goal is to read the Quran this Ramadan fully.
“I did that last year as well. But this year, I want to dive into it more and really understand what I’m reading, you know,” she stated.
Ramadan will last for about a month before Eid al-Fitr. For anyone with Muslim friends or classmates, wish them a Happy Ramadan Mubarak!
