In wanting to create a welcoming community where students and staff could learn more about Ramadan practices and the significance of it, the Global Student Ambassador (GSA) members planned an event where you could do that, and more – like learning about Islamic art, culture, and charity, all while creating strong relations with people from diverse backgrounds.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered to be one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims show respect to the revelation of the Qur’an.

During Ramadan, Muslims also fast from food and only drink during the sunlit hours as a way of drawing closer to God and learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion of those less fortunate.

There are some exceptions to fasting such as pregnant or nursing women, people who are sick, and elderly people and children.

Eid al-Fitr is one of two major holidays that commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast daily from before dawn until sunset. 

Ramada is also a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a high focus on devotion. During this time Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers.

To start off the event, Marwa, a GSA member and one of the event organizers, talked about her favorite part of Ramadan and the main purpose of the event. She said, “The family time you get together, the prayer, and just getting time together.”

Jwan, another GSA member and event organizer, talked about her experience during and after Ramadan and what she did during this time. Jwan shared, “Growing up Eid was always about family to me, when I wake up and gather around the breakfast table and eat traditional food, it always reminds me about my home.”

After both of the GSA members’ speeches they introduced an imam named Abdullahi Jaranow. An imam is someone who holds an Islamic leadership position. Imam is mostly used as the title of someone who leads prayers. Imams may lead Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, and provide religious guidance.

Jaranow spoke about what it meant to participate in Ramadan, the importance of it, and what you’re able to learn during that time. He said, “The objective isn’t about experiencing hunger. The fasting is actually a means of something greater. This training is considered as a kind of spiritual and behavioral therapy.” 

After his speech people were able to ask any questions they had about Ramadan or even share about their own experiences and give any advice to the people there.

An attendee had shared an experience she had recently and was confused if she had “failed” her fasting, Jaranow was able to answer her question and eased her worries about her fasting.

While at the event you were able to enjoy a Mediterranean feast on beautifully decorated tables that matched the rest of the decorations, learn about the importance of Ramadan and participate in some of the traditional cultural activities, such as Henna application, Arabic calligraphy, and could either participate or observe in a live prayer.

Some of the Mediterranean food options they had provided were falafel, chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and baklava, a dessert.

Henna, a common Asian practice, was offered at the event, symbolizing good health and prosperity. Attendees could choose a stencil that appealed to them, or have an artist draw their own design. Henna has been around for thousands of years, mainly used in weddings, birthdays, and other joyous gatherings. 

Originally it was used for its natural cooling properties for the people living in hot desert climates. It would be in the form of a paste and be soaked in the palms of hands and soles of feet. 

From an artistic point of view, Arabic calligraphy has been known and appreciated for its diversity and great potential for development. Arabic culture has been a part of various fields such as religion, art, architecture, education, and craftsmanship, which in turn have played an important role in its advancement.

When Fatima Abukar, a second year running start student was asked what her favorite part of the event was she said, “My favorite part was the speaker and like the questions people had and they answered the question I was thinking about in my mind.”

Aziza Aman, a first year college student said, “I would definitely recommend it, even if you’re not Muslim it would be a good event to be introduced to the religion and what they do. There are a lot of misconceptions out there and this would clear out a lot of them.”

This event was meant to bring people together and make sure that no one was alone and to let them know that they had a community, where they can share their struggle and have people who can also relate to them and even educate those who wanted to learn more about Ramadan.