Campusalam

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Ramadan is the month in which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. It is the 9th lunar month in the Islamic calendar and begins when the new moon of the 9th month is sighted. The month has particular religious significance because it is the month in which the Qur’an was completed as a revelation to the Prophet Muhamma(pbuh). It is the holiest period in the Islamic calendar. During the month of Ramadan Muslims try to abstain from eating, drinking, sexual activity, impure thought and harsh actions throughout daylight hours. They are encouraged to concentrate on purifying themselves through prayer, reading the Qur’an, self-reflection and charity. Special prayers and readings from the Qur’an are said every night so that by the end of the month the Qur’an will have been completed. Exempt from fasting during Ramadan are those who are sick, elderly, travellers, young children and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing.

Fasting (sawm) as the fourth pillar of Islam is a religious requirement prescribed by God for both men and women. Fasting, prayer, self-accountability, charity and a re-affirming faith are religious observance kept throughout the month. These observances are to develop purity of thought and action, sacrifice, self-discipline, to understand the suffering of those who hunger and re-affirm one’s relationship with God. Fasting in particular is an act of worship and is supposed to cleanse the soul of worldly activities to induce peace and calm in those who practice it so they can have closeness to God.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become God-fearing” (Qur’an 2:183)

For those who fast during the month of Ramadan, upholding the religious requirement is a challenge both physically and mentally, especially in a University environment where other people will be eating and drinking throughout the day and students need to concentrate on their work. Avoiding other people eating and drinking can be done if one chooses to spend lunch time in the prayer room, at the mosque or even in a library where no food and drink is allowed. The bigger challenge for those who fast is maintaining their physical ability and mental concentration throughout the time they are fasting. As they will be fasting for many hours it is reasonable to understand their want and need to end the fast at sunset. If it so happens that a Muslim student is in a lecture when the daily fast has ended, it seems reasonable to assume they might want to break the fast by eating something small such as a few dates or a biscuit.

For those who organise events and activities in Universities, it might be useful to know the important festivals of the major religions to know when students may or may not be likely to attend events due to other obligations. Although many Muslims would still attend events and activities during Ramadan, they would not eat or drink during daylight hours if food and drink was provided. It may be the case that some Muslims choose not to attend events where food and drink are a major part of the event during Ramadan because they can avoid the temptation of eating and drinking and may choose to spend more time at the mosque or with family to end the fast.