From fasting to feasting, Ramadhan is “a spiritual boot camp for the soul”

Sammy Carter interviewing Naomaan Riyaz, president of the Massey Muslim Student Association

Q: What does Ramadhan mean to you?

A: Ramadhan (also spelled Ramadan, Ramazan, Ramzan, and Ramathan) is the month of patience and characterises the epitome of worship for me. Ramadhan is not a ritual. It is like a spiritual boot camp for the soul. Ramadhan allows a whole month of thoughtful contemplation of the errors of the past and finding a resolved determination to be better in the future, bolstered by a spiritual ambience. Instead of focusing on my physiological needs, I focus on my spiritual ones. Instead of concentrating on consumption, I must focus on not doing anything that invalidates my fast. Ramadhan, to me, is the extension of an invitation from God to understand him beyond hunger and thirst.

Q: What’s your favourite thing about Ramadhan?

A: Aside from the spiritual part of Ramadhan, I love the culinary significance of the month. The tradition of gathering to celebrate breaking the fast every evening, known as Iftar, is as old as the custom of observance of the fast itself.

Living in Auckland, where Muslims from all over the world with their unique foods and culinary traditions come together every Iftar and bring their cuisines to the table— literally— I begin to get an idea of what heaven must be like.

Dates, biryani, stuffed grape leaves, samosa, kebabs and an assortment of desserts, everything as delectable in taste as in words.

Q: What is a stereotype about Ramadhan or the Muslim Community you’d like to set straight?

A: Straight off the bat…not all Muslims are Arabs. Most Arabs are Muslims but not vice versa. The world’s most significant population of Muslims is in Indonesia, but that doesn’t make all of us Indonesians either.

And the stereotypes about Ramadhan - It’s not a weight loss routine. And it’s not a punishment either. It’s a bit hard to explain to people without explaining the significance of Ramadhan, but it’s not all headaches and thirst and grump. Talk to Muslims, and most of them would tell you they feel content and that it’s their favourite time of the year.

Q: What are some traditions in Ramadhan most people wouldn’t know about?

A: People should know that you don’t have to be a Muslim to enjoy the savoury delights at Iftar. Anyone can come to the prayer space and enjoy the meals. It’s an open-to-all feast.

Q: What are you expecting for this year’s Ramadhan, and what can students expect?

A: This year, we have a new and much bigger prayer space that can fit more people than ever. And this year, the university welcomed the first batch of international students after COVID, including many Muslims. They and the rest of the students, old and new, are invited to come and enjoy this beautiful and blessed month with the Muslim community of Albany.