This year marks another period of Ramadan at Carleton College. Ramadan commemorates the month in which the Quran (the Islamic holy text) was revealed. Muslims fast during this period in order to achieve closeness to Allah (God). This year, Ramadan spans from Feb. 18 to Mar. 18. During Ramadan, no eating or drinking may take place after sunrise; only after sunset can the fast be broken. It is a period of time to ground Muslims and to appreciate the gifts of life by separating themselves from material desires.
There are many Muslims on campus who participate in Ramadan, which can lead to a conflict between school life and religious practice.
Abdulrahman Mohamed ’26, a student who practices fasting during the month of Ramadan, said that the demands of student life are exacerbated by the demands of fasting.
“I think the mental parts of fasting are probably the toughest. Considering the mental strain we experience throughout the day as college students, fasting places a whole new layer of discipline,” Mohamed said. “No water or food gives us a sharpened mind of discipline to overcome the physical challenges of the fast.”
Janabou Diallo ’29 echoed Mohamed’s comments, specifically mentioning the additional time commitment of Tarawih, a form of nighttime prayer performed by some during the month of Ramadan. Diallo also mentioned that adapting to Ramadan without family presents an additional challenge.
“Breaking your fast alone [is hard]. Trying to squeeze in Tarawih during a busy end of the term has also been really hard,” Diallo said.
Fasting in Carleton College’s academically intense setting is a very different experience from fasting at home. As many students mentioned, the end of the term brings some complications with managing hunger. One junior student who asked to remain anonymous mentioned the difficulty of “trying to pay attention in class while fasting and trying to find time to cook meals.” This complexity adds an additional struggle to the period of Ramadan — a struggle that many Muslims students feel warrants greater support from the school.
The junior student suggested that the school could do more to provide a framework for how fasting students can be accommodated.
“Mentioning Ramadan and the accommodations students fasting might need in the weekly newsletter [would be helpful] — calling it out not only to other students but faculty,” the junior said.
Other students mentioned that there is a strong collective support existing outside of official college frameworks.
“The college as a whole doesn’t really do anything to help me fast in Ramadan (individually), but as a collective, they provide avenues of support in the forms of the chapel, student organization and resources,” Mohamed said. “They can continue supporting students by allowing us to practice our faith and allow for more Muslim perspectives in our college communities.”
Some students have found value in the already available resources. Diallo commented, “The dates! There’s literally dates everywhere, and good ones are hard to find unless you’re going to a Halal market, so that’s the number one thing I think about. But also hosting prayers both on and off campus, community iftars, etc.”
Although students expressed gratitude about the existing support structures during the month of Ramadan, there remain struggles celebrating Ramadan on campus, especially with budget cuts for the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
“$2370 of our initial Spring Allocations request [were] denied in alignment with Budget Committee’s guidelines to no longer fund food off campus. This means we can no longer have CSA-funded brunches off-campus after the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers in the Cities,” MSA President Adam Paul said.
Eid marks the end of Ramadan. It is a time of celebration and appreciation for the month that has passed. For many, fasting is a large part of observing Ramadan, and the important meals at the end of fasting are just as crucial. For many Muslim students, restrictions of any kind on Eid celebrations are particularly frustrating.
“Well, it sucks, but I understand. Usually, one of the ways my family and I would celebrate Eid growing up is treating ourselves to brunch at a buffet, to reward ourselves for holding back on food and water. Though it’s not required in our faith, many families like mine continue this tradition of having a large meal with our loved ones to celebrate Eid,” Mohamed said.
“I think that it’s sad. I’m only a first-year student, so I haven’t experienced it, but the hardest part of Ramadan so far is feeling isolated and lonely during meals. If community meals are being cut, that’s unfortunate.” Diallo said.
The anonymous junior said that the loss of community meals shows a loss in regard to Ramadan’s purpose.
“While Ramadan is not meant to largely surround abstaining food, it is an important factor in what makes Ramadan so special. The first time being able to go out to eat with family and friends on Eid after a month of fasting and not being able to enjoy restaurants in the daytime is ingrained in the culture of Eid for me and plenty of others. Many Muslim students are either out-of-state students or international, far from their families and loved ones, [who] they’ve spent Eid [with for] their whole lives. The MSA Annual Eid brunch was something that gave these students something to look forward to, a feeling of closeness, and a piece of home,” the junior said.
In spite of the burdens, many students continue to participate in Ramadan. All of the students interviewed highlighted the personal importance of the month, and their appreciation for the existing community at Carleton.