OPINIONS Ramadan at BU

Sufia Langevin - Associate Editor

March

23 marked the beginning of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan does not happen at the same time every year because it follows the lunar calendar. During this month, Muslims engage in a fast, where we eat no food, drink no water, and refrain from nourishing our bodies between sunrise and sunset. This year, the time that fasting occurs is between approximately 4:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day (a whopping 15 hours per day). While it is slightly less known, there is much more to fasting during Ramadan than not eating.

In addition to refraining from food and water, Muslims are also meant to refrain from gossip, swear words, sex if unmarried, and other sins. For those who engage in sins (such as drinking or drugs), Ramadan provides a time to reset, and live without these things. As well, we pray five times every day, at approximately 4:30 a.m., 12:50 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:20 p.m., and 8:50 p.m. If we refrain from eating without engaging in prayer, the fast does not count.

InMuslim communities, this is a time of connection, where we all engage in the fast together. We would eat our very early morning meal together, go to prayer times together, break our fasts together, and generally be able to schedule our days around the schedule of Ramadan and its activities. However, at BU, it can be an isolating experience. There is no lonelier time than when I wake up at 4 a.m. to make food and eat quickly by myself before praying in my apartment and going back to bed.

Colin Ahern, Opinions Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com

I have to schedule my days around when I need to pray, and when I need to break my fast. Having 6:30-9:30 p.m. courses makes it particularly difficult to cook in time to break my fast just past 7, at which point I also do my evening prayers. This year, Ramadan also coincides with final exams, an added difficulty for Muslim students.

I am fortunate to be in a supportive community. Last year, in collaboration with the Office of EDI, I sent out a flyer explaining information on how to accommodate Muslim students. This year, members of the Bishop’s community told me how helpful that was and how they would love to have it sent out again, which it was. While eating before sunrise is lonely, I am very thankful to have a friend who made me fresh homemade bagels that I can eat in the morning. My friends also occasionally come over in time to break my fast with me, removing the isolated feeling and bringing back a sense of community to my Ramadan. While Ramadan at BU is not the experience it would be if I were with my family, I am thankful to have a community that uplifts and supports Muslim students.