Students Observe Ramadan: A Month of Introspection and Abstinence
By: Abdirizak Abdi
Staff Writer
Since the beginning of May, millions of Muslims around the world have observed a month of introspection and abstinence from food and drink: Ramadan.
Ramadan is an annual occurrence, which is based on the lunar calendar, that officially begins with the sighting of the new moon on the ninth month. Fasting starts then, and for the next 30 days, Muslims traditionally refrain from indulging in food and drink. Between Suhoor (the meal at dawn) and Iftar (the meal at dusk), nothing, not even water, is consumed. Here, in the Pacific Northwest, this period of internalization translates to almost 18 hours of uninterrupted fasting.
On its face value, Ramadan may be likened to detox and radical dieting. Although fasting is an integral part of this month, the ultimate goal goes beyond abstaining from food and drink. Fasting is intended to bring one closer to God and is seen as a way to spiritually detoxify the soul. It is the soul and exaltation of the mind that is of utmost importance.
According to the Quran, the Muslim holy book, fasting teaches the ability to control worldly desires and spend time in prayer and meditation. Therefore, abstaining from indulgence, which is a large part of Ramadan, cannot occur without detoxing the mind. The latter journey is much harder.
“For me, it is a month that reinforces my discipline, where I abstain from things that are otherwise lawful during other times of the year,” said Salih Fathi, the vice president of the Muslim Student Association at Green River College. “By staying away from food and other indulgences, I am able to exercise control over my actions and desires.”
Green River College is home to a tapestry of Muslim students from all over the world. Among the college’s clubs and organizations is the Muslim Student Association (MSA). It is a student-run organization that caters to the needs of the Muslim community on campus. In the run-up to every Ramadan, MSA usually initiates a series of events that seek to create awareness and foster togetherness.
This year, MSA coordinated the Islamic Awareness Week that happened between April 26 to April 28. The association invited three keynote speakers who spoke about Ramadan and other topics of importance to the Muslim community. Among the invited speakers was Turan Kayaoglu, a professor and associate vice chancellor for research at the University of Washington, Tacoma.
Additionally, MSA hosted an Iftar (the meal at dusk) night where students collectively broke their fasts and shared meals. “Iftar night was a huge success that brought together both Muslim and non-Muslim students across campus,” said Fatima Juma, the president of MSA. “We were only expecting a handful of people but more than 70 students showed up.” Some faculty members and instructors at Green River College have actively acknowledged the onset of this month and have sought to create awareness within their classrooms.
“Understanding the religious and cultural practices of my students allows me to provide more grace and support,” said Emily Beals, a faculty member of the English department at Green River College. “I have tried to accommodate the needs of my students to ensure that they are able to exercise their spiritual practices in a meaningful way.”
For many Muslims, the purpose of Ramadan is to energize the orientation of the soul and activate what has been lost throughout the year. It is a month of spiritual introspection that emphasizes abstinence from worldly and materialistic attachments.
The long rigorous days of fasting and nights of deep reflection are vital in reminding Muslims to focus not on the lack, but the abundance of the world, and the endless bounties that lie within.
