Every year during the month of Ramadan, Asra Ashfaq (MSB ’09) starts her day before sunrise to complete the first prayer of the day, Suhoor. She quickly eats her breakfast before the sun rises, as her next meal will be after sunset. After a full day of classes and work, she will join many of her fellow classmates to break the fast with the traditional Iftar meal of a date and water, followd by dinner. This ritual will be repeated daily from Thursday, September 13th until the end of Ramadan on Saturday, October 13th.
During Ramadan, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) provides a meal and space for students to break the day’s fast together. These gatherings are meant to foster a sense of community among Muslim students.
Each year, the MSA invites speakers to share thoughts or insight on the holiday. Past speakers have included the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, His Royal Highness Turki al-Faisal, and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim.
Imam Yahya Hendi, the Muslim religious leader on campus, finds these guest speakers to be a vital part of the celebration.
“People interpret fasting differently,” he said. “With more interpretation, we are more able to empower ourselves to ideas because no one has exclusive claim to truth.”
In addition to the nightly Iftar meals, the MSA organizes a fundraiser called Fast-a-Thon to raise money for a different charity each year. For each non-Muslim student who pledges to fast for one day during Ramadan, various businesses and people donate one dollar.
“Fast-a-thon gives non-Muslim students a taste of how we spend this month,” said Fatima Asvat (SFS ’08), one of the coordinators of the event. This year’s proceeds are going towards Miriam’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen based in D.C. The event will be held on October 3rd.
Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam. During this month Muslims refrain from food and drink during the day.
“Ramadan is a time to thank God for the blessings in life and to help the needy through acts of charity,” Hendi said.
“For me, Ramadan is when I feel most connected to God,” Ashfaq said.
MSA members say that Ramadan is also one of the busiest times for their group, when the greatest number of Muslim students come together for MSA programs.
“I always find it beautiful to see the diversity of the campus at the Iftar dinners,” Asvat said. “Regardless of where we come from, we share the same belief.”
The unity among the Muslim students during Ramadan helps ease the challenges of maintaining the daily regimen.
“Having a support system during Ramadan helps a lot,” Ashfaq said. “It makes it a lot easier when you have other people going through the same routine as you.”
While observing Ramadan is a positive experience for many Muslim students, it can also be difficult at times.
“It’s a test, and it’s tough,” Ashfaq said. “It requires a lot of discipline. It’s hard to go to school and work and pay attention, but after a couple days, our bodies get used to it.”
Ramadan revitalizes Imam Hendi every year and gives him new drive to give back to his community.
“Ramadan empowers my relationship with God and liberates me from fears of the past and the future,” he said.
