Ramadan is a month dedicated to fasting, spirituality & worship, and charity & community. It is the holiest month of the Muslim year and follows the lunar calendar. During this month, no food or drink (including water) may be taken from dawn to dusk Worshippers eat a pre dawn light meal, called suhoor. After dusk, Muslims break the fast with an evening meal called iftar.
For the first time in 10 years, Ramadan will run from approximately May 5th - June 4th causing it to fall within the academic school year. This will impact Muslim students, staff, and faculty in various ways. In addition to being aware of this religious observance, here are five ways you can support members of the Muslim community this month.
- Understand that Ramadan is a time of spiritual cleansing and reflection.
- Acknowledge Ramadan and Eid by wishing folks well.
- Be respectful of prayer times - many people are more observant during Ramadan and therefore may need to leave class, meetings, or other obligations to pray for approximately ten minutes.
- Ramadan includes evening programs that will require folks to be out late - check on your friends to make sure they get home safely!
- Check on your friends mental health and overall well-being.
For more information on how to support the Muslim community this Ramadan, check out the attached handout from the Islamic Center at New York University and head over to the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Towson, MD!
For questions about religious and spiritual resources, please contact Erin Waddles, Coordinator for Student Diversity and Inclusion at waddles@umbc.edu and Idania Ramos at idramos1@umbc.edu.
-Student Diversity and Inclusion Staff
