Students prepare for Ramadan
By Sama Elbaramawi ILLUSTRATOR
As Sha’ban, the Islamic lunar month before Ramadan, comes to an end, Muslim students at San José State adjust their routines to prepare for the holiest month in Islam, beginning this year on the evening of Feb. 28.
Muslims believe the Qur’ān, the Holy Book of Islam, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, called “Laylat Al-Qadr” in Arabic, translated in English as “the Night of Power,” according to Muslim Aid.
They also believe spiritual rewards are multiplied during the month, so they focus on acts of worship such as reading the Qur’ān, fasting and praying extra prayers, according to Madrasat Al Qurān.
Fayo Ahmed, a firstyear political science student and member of SJSU Muslim Student Association encourages fellow Muslims to begin preparing now.
“Don’t wait for a specific moment in time. If you feel in your heart that you want to be closer to God, start now,” she said.
Typically, Muslims begin from Sha’ban for a smoother transition into Ramadan, according to Al-Madina Institute.
Some simple ways Muslim youth are getting ready for the month include replacing music
with Islamic podcasts, which Fayo Ahmed and Reha Ahmed, a fourthyear public health student and sisters’ event director of SJSU Muslim Student Association, said they are partaking in.
In Ramadan, which lasts 29 to 30 days, able-bodied Muslims fast from fajr (pre-dawn) to maghrib (sunset), according to Islamic Network Group.
“I’m trying to eat more protein to prepare my body for fasting,” says Reha Ahmed.
Islamic fasting involves abstaining from all food and drink, including water, according to Brandeis University webpage.
Nutritionists highlight the importance of water and electrolyte intake before Ramadan and during non-fasting hours, according to an April 23, 2013 National Institutes of Health article.
“I’ve been telling myself to drink more water so that when the time comes, I won’t be completely dehydrated,” said Fayo Ahmed.
Muslims fast Ramadan for many spiritual reasons including self-discipline, spiritual growth and empathy, according to a Muslim Aid webpage.
Ramadan fasting is also linked to physical health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, balancing insulin levels and boosting human growth hormone, according to a March 5, 2024 article by American
Heart Association News.
Emily Foreman, a thirdyear physics student and member of SJSU Muslim Student Association gives her input on fasting.
“Fasting isn’t always easy, so remembering why we fast in the first place is important,” she said.
Traditionally Muslims break their fasts with milk and dates, following the
even overcoming social inequalities, according to a March 22, 2024 Indiana University article.
“My mom typically buys so much meat and samosa dough, then she invites her friends and they wrap samosas all night,” Fayo Ahmed said.
Other cultures prepare foods like Qatayef, commonly found in
Muslim two years ago, says that community Iftars are significant for new Muslims.
“The community I gained at SJSU (has) been nothing but kind,” she says. “My family doesn’t really understand why I am fasting, so I feel extremely lucky that MSA (SJSU Muslim Student Association)
The community I gained at SJSU (has) been nothing but kind. My family doesn’t really understand why I am fasting, so I feel extremely lucky that MSA (SJSU Muslim Student Association) hosted Iftars last year.
Emily Foreman
SJSU third-year physics student
Local mosques, like the Muslim Community Association, decorate to welcome the many people coming in to spend extra time worshiping and praying the extra night prayer, Taraweeh. Because of lower energy levels during the day, Muslim students shift their activities, like socializing and schoolwork, to nighttime, according to a July 23, 2023 National Institutes of Health study.
Some teachers and professors accommodate practicing students, preparing different tasks to not overwork them, according to a March 11, 2024 PBS article.
Sunnah, or teachings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, according to Brandeis University.
Along with these traditions, Muslims integrate unique, cultural, energy and proteinabundant staples into their meal planning, according to the same source above.
Fayo Ahmed said her family is from Ethiopia and shared some ways they prepare for Iftar.
Iftar is traditionally prepared and eaten with friends and family, fostering a sense of community and togetherness, and
Egyptian and Levantine cultures, and Haleem, found in Desi culture, according to TRT World.
Reha Ahmed said the SJSU Muslim Student Association is planning many community Iftars and Ramadan preparation workshops.
One workshop, “The Sunnah Road to Ramadan,” hosted by SJSU Muslim Student Association on Feb. 20, will discuss balancing school, work, and spirituality while fasting to prepare its members.
Foreman, who grew up Protestant and became
hosted Iftars last year.”
Over 20,000 Americans become Muslims annually, and around the world, the number of Muslims is expected to grow from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 2.8 billion in 2050, according to Pew Research Center.
Muslims also decorate for Ramadan, commonly using crescent shapes, lights and lanterns to set a warm and joyful mood, according to About Islam.
“I have a lot of nostalgia around Christmas, and I want to build it up around Ramadan,” Foreman said.
“I do intend to decorate again.”
“I’m preparing to fit more naps into my schedule, since I'm going to be out a lot at night, and I’ll be tired in school," Fayo Ahmed said. This transition into the holiest Islamic month brings forth a strong sense of community among SJSU students, pulling each other up despite the difficulties.
“We all have our challenges, but acknowledging that and doing your best for the sake of Allah is extremely valuable,” Foreman said. “Surround yourself with people who want the best for you and do your best in everything.”
SJSU club makes theater accessible
By Anahi Herrera Villanueva CONTRIBUTOR
Although this club’s name can be deceiving, its culture fosters a welcoming environment amongst members that translates to their recent sold-out show success.
The Anti Club Theatre Club is an SJSU studentrun organization that was created in 2011. The club encourages local artists to develop their theatrical skills by providing opportunities to learn and work with other students in the club as well as its club advisors, according to SJSU’s Department of Film, Theatre, and Dance webpage.
The name Anti Club Theatre club comes from the belief that the atmosphere is not typical to that of a regular theatre club where there needs to be loads of experience but rather an atmosphere in which everyone is welcomed no matter the experience, according to the clubs president, Sean Maguire.
On Jan. 30, the Anti Club Theatre Club opened the doors to Hal Todd Studio Theater for this year’s winter show, “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” with tickets being sold
out just hours before the show.
Lorisa Hays, vice president of the club and second-year English preparation for teaching and theatre student shares behind the scenes from creating the blueprint to the opening day of production.
“The process usually starts right when we get the new officers,” Hays said. “We like to take pitches from people in the club to get a feel of what kinds of shows they want to participate in.”
With a high-intensity production and a deadline fast approaching, the Anti Club worked with several volunteers and hires to make sure the show went as smoothly as possible
the Hammer,” said Hays, “(The Hammer) they were like too late’ but luckily, it all worked out. One of our officers had a friend who was very kind enough to let us borrow.”
Although there were some hurdles, the show was an overall success with each show selling out and adding additional seats on the last day.
“The night before closing, we actually added six seats because some people had come in, they hadn’t bought tickets,” Hays said.
With the excitement of continuously having a sold-out show, club members mentioned the want to bring theater to the community around them.
like to these people.”
Sean Maguire, the current president of the Anti Club Theatre Club provided some insight on how the club was able to bring in people to collaborate with.
“I became the head producer,” Maguire said. “Last semester, we did a lot of the pre-production stuff. I hired three people and made sure that we had everyone there.”
Part of this success was the people the Anti Club Theatre Club brought to help collaborate to make the show a reality said Maguire.
Those three people are choreographer April Murphy, vocal director Zella Ferronato and director Eric Scoles who took on these roles specific for this musical.
“The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” was Scoles’s directorial debut and was eager to take the role, Hays said.
Zella
while overcoming multiple challenges.
“The main issue that we had that I think was mics. In the past, we had the club officers who were here before work with
“We wanted to give everyone a chance to be able to see the show,” Hays said. “I feel we’re such of the belief of like, we just want to bring theater to this world and
Although Maguire was the head producer, he was still involved in many other roles during the production of this project.
“I helped with all the tech, I was the projectionist, I helped put up our images and helped edit sounds,” Maguire said. “So I did a lot of the tech positions that we
didn’t really have people for because it was stuff that needed to be taught.”
Ferronato, a third-year music student, worked to ensure their actors felt prepared to perform with her direction.
“In some of the songs, there would be harmonies that were
challenging, Ferranato said that it was because of the actors’willingness to learn and to collaborate that made for a successful performance. A where Ferranato wished the show had gone for a week longer.
“I think the third weekend would have been great so that more people could have seen it and it would allow us to get more comfortable with the performance and for the actors to get used to the audience feel,” said Ferranato.
Even though “The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” is no longer showing, the Anti Club Theater Club is gearing up for their upcoming Spring Glee Cabaret.
super challenging, and there were a lot of tritones,” Ferranato said.
“There was some clashing of notes and that made it even more difficult. So it was really hard listeningwise.”
A tritone is a series of 3 different tones that don’t seem to have a specific harmony and are most commonly used to create a sort of build up, according to Music Theory Academy.
Although the music was
Follow Anahi on Instagram @a.nahi.h
GRAPHIC BY ANAHI HERRERA VILLANUEVA | SPARTAN DAILY
Lorisa Hays Anti-Club Theater club vice president GRAPHICFROMCANVA
Sam Wilson is saving Marvel
By Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
On Feb. 14, Marvel Studios released the fourth installment of the “Captain America” franchise titled “Captain America: Brave New World,” which surprisingly exceeded my expectations.
Because the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is at a low point right now in my opinion, I did not expect to enjoy the movie as much as I did.
The film follows Samuel Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, as he is given the shield and takes on the mantle as the next Captain America by the original Captain, Steve Rogers in “Avengers: Endgame.”
Wilson tries to uncover a terrorist plot from an unknown lone-wolf terrorist who is set on watching the world be destroyed through the art of war.
One of the main reasons I enjoyed this film is because it showcased Wilson in a way that hasn’t been seen before in the franchise.
Since his MCU debut in the 2014 movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” his character always
seemed to take a backseat as a secondary character, but “Captain America: Brave New World” did him justice as the new Captain America.
I also really enjoyed the fact that even though the main character is a different Captain America, the movie stayed consistent with the previous installments and was centered around the political realm, which is something that has been lacking from the MCU for the past couple of years.
For example, while “Deadpool & Wolverine” was a good movie, it was centered around the multiverse which is a supernatural and fictitious concept.
In the new “Captain America” film, President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford, engages in peace talks with other countries as a means to settle a land dispute and avoid a multinational war.
While superhero movies with omnipotent beings and powers are enjoyable from time to time, it’s always refreshing to watch movies where the main character doesn’t have that kind of power and is
movie review
“Captain America: Brave New World” Rating:
operating in the capacity of a real institution such as the United States government.
Directed by: Julius Onah Starring: Anthony Mackie Harrison Ford Genre: Action/Sci-fi
That setting brings a sense of realism and relatability to these kinds of movies. What makes Samuel Wilson’s Captain America special compared to the other movies’ iterations is that he never took an enhanced serum, making him a regular person who’s faced with trying to stop these big threats.
That minor detail reoccurs in the film when Wilson has a moment where he regrets not taking the serum when given the
chance but realizes that it makes him a figure that people can realistically aspire to be rather than wish to be.
The movie also explores the idea of Wilson being in the constant state of having to prove himself to others because he felt like he wasn’t adequate enough to be Captain America after the legacy Steve Rogers left.
Critics gave the movie a 49% while the audience gave it an 80%, according to the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes.
I am inclined to agree with the audience because
it was a solid superhero movie that I would happily rewatch.
The fight choreography was good and the humor was just right. It was the right amount of dry humor without being too bland or too corny like it has been in recent MCU shows and movies.
I thought the humor in MCU projects like “She-Hulk” and “The Marvels” were trying too hard to appeal to the new generation of kids, making it hard to stomach.
There were also some surprising cameos and
introductions of new characters that I really enjoyed which I won’t reveal because I don’t believe in spoiling movies.
I highly recommend fans of the MCU or Marvel Comics to watch this movie while it is still in theaters. It’s looking like the MCU might be rebounding and building up to something bigger again.
Jackson Eats: Sugar
Jackson Lindstrom CONTRIBUTOR
It’s no secret that sugar has a bad reputation when it comes to eating a “healthy” or “clean” diet.
But the idea that you can’t be healthy if you don’t cut out all sugar is a problematic one because it has the potential to give people an unhealthy relationship with food which can, and probably will, make you less healthy long term.
The myth of sugar being terrible for you is amplified by news outlets and other non-experts listening to experts who do a very poor job of examining the research, as can be seen in one 2014 article from The Guardian.
As a student on the path to becoming a registered dietitian, it breaks my heart to see people avoid food that they want to eat just because someone tells them it’s unhealthy.
This avoidance tends to lead people to cravings, and at some point, they can’t take it anymore and binge. This overeating is what actually leads to negative health outcomes.
The reason why sugar may be giving someone bad health markers is because food with sugar in it tends to be hyper-palatable, high in fat and high in calories. Consistent overconsumption of calories
is what will lead a person to gain weight, according to a Sept. 12, 2022 StatPearls research article.
If you gain too much weight in fat, this can lead to obesity, which has a number of negative health outcomes, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
In other words, if you regularly eat a lot of cake, you’ll probably gain weight but it’s not the sugar that is causing you to gain weight, it’s the fact that the cake is high in calories and sugar is what makes the cake taste better and makes you want to eat more.
So if you want to eat sugar but don’t want to gain weight, if you’re able to control yourself from eating too much, then the best idea is to just limit the amount you eat, not to completely exclude it. When calories were accounted for, there was no significant difference in weight gain or blood pressure when substituting sugar from complex carbohydrates with free sugars, according to a January 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Systematic review and meta-analysis are essentially studies that interpret a collection of studies and make a conclusion based on their results. Systematic review and meta-analysis are considered the highest level of medical evidence, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Free sugars are sugars that can be found naturally in some food combined with added sugar, whereas sugar from complex carbohydrates is just the naturally occurring sugar, according to the World Health Organization.
be considered perfectly healthy if you are able to fit it into your daily calorie expenditure.
Daily calorie expenditure is the amount of calories you burn every day, including things like exercise, breathing and even activities that don’t require moving such as reading, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
This research should not be mistaken as an excuse to eat as much sugar as you like, but rather a reassurance that you aren’t poisoning yourself if you choose to eat some ice cream or cookies every once in a while. Even eating a cookie or two or some other sweet treat every day could
The argument that sugar is bad for you sounds even dumber when you consider the fact that all fruits and vegetables have sugar in them. When have you ever heard of a person who gained too much weight from eating fruit?
Fruits and vegetables are primarily sources of carbohydrates and once carbohydrates are ingested, they eventually break down into glucose, also called
blood sugar, according to The Nutrition Source from Harvard School of Public Health.
So if all sugar is bad, then apparently you aren’t supposed to be eating fruit or vegetables, despite them being recommended to be included in your diet by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a MyPlate webpage.
But the sugar in fruit and vegetables is natural, so it’s the added sugar that is bad for you, right?
Well, as stated previously, all sources of carbohydrate eventually break down into glucose, so that would mean that glucose is bad for you, and glucose is your body’s primary source of fuel, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Understanding that it’s
okay to eat food you love is what creates a healthy relationship with food, and in turn, a healthy person.
Good dieting is not about excluding things from your diet, it’s about your holistic approach to creating habits that will improve your health over the course of your life.
So the next time you’re celebrating a friend’s birthday and you want to have cake, or you’re going out for ice cream, or you just want to treat yourself after a hard week, know that it’s okay to have a little sweet treat.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JACKSON LINDSTROM | SPARTAN DAILY