抖阴APP导航

Around the world, the crescent moon marks the start of Ramadan. This year, it is expected to begin in the evening of Feb. 17, with the first day of fasting on Feb. 18. Ramadan ends 29 or 30 days later with the last day predicted to be March 18 鈥� the start and end dates can only be determined the night before.  

For each day of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, meaning they do not eat or drink during those hours. This year, the predawn meal will be around 6 a.m. and breaking the fast will be around 6 p.m. (Day 1) to around 8 p.m. (Day 30). These timings will change every day as sunset and sunrise timings change. Daylight saving time, which starts on March 8, will also take effect during Ramadan. 

Ramadan is a time for Muslims to strengthen their relationship with God, such as through giving charity, reciting the Qur'an, making dua (supplication), and practising good character. It is also an opportunity for Muslims to spend quality time with family, friends, and the community, such as by attending communal iftars (the meal that breaks one鈥檚 fast) and Tarawih (communal prayers which take place every night of Ramadan). 

The end of Ramadan is where Eid-al-Fitr takes place (鈥淓id鈥� means festival in Arabic). Eid is one of two yearly celebrations that Muslims partake in, a holiday celebrated by dressing up in fancy clothes, giving gifts, and eating lots of food. 

For Muslims, 鈥淩amadan instils a stronger sense of God-consciousness 鈥� to be more aware of their choices and behavior each day,鈥� says , a faith representative at the University of Calgary鈥檚 Faith and Spirituality Centre (FSC). 鈥淏y refraining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, it builds discipline and teaches the value of patience and self-control. It shows that if we can manage our basic needs during these hours, we can also overcome temptations and harmful desires. This helps Muslims, especially students, stay motivated, focused, and committed in their everyday lives.鈥� 

Amena Katawazi, a biological sciences student and FSC volunteer, calls Ramadan 鈥渕y favourite time of the year, and I am sure the majority, if not all, Muslims can agree. Ramadan is such a beautiful time because a strong community forms between Muslims all over the world; and non-Muslims, as well. In this community, we bond over remembering God, praying, spiritual growth, and, of course, eating.鈥� 

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of reflection, prayer, and connection with others and is, for many, a positive experience. Some students may feel a sense of isolation due to being away from loved ones or those who are struggling with keeping the balance between religious practices and academic responsibilities. Muslim students may also experience reduced energy levels and difficulty concentrating due to fasting and interrupted sleep schedules. 

鈥淭hroughout the month, many students are going to be tired. I think it is important for people to remember that it is genuinely not done out of a place of disrespect," says Amena. 鈥淭o all the faculty members who may see a student dozing off in class, please be considerate of the fact that we are often waking up around 4 - 5 a.m. and running on no food or water.鈥� 

Recommendations from the Faith and Spirituality Centre

There are many ways in which the 抖阴APP导航 campus community can support students during this time. Here are some recommendations from the FSC:鈥��  

• If students attend class during sunset, let them know they are welcome to break their fast.鈥�
• If an鈥痚xam is scheduled in the late afternoon or evening, be aware that fasting students may be a bit fatigued or distracted.鈥疘f a student requests to eat during an exam or requires additional breaks, it would be helpful to support those requests.鈥赌�
• Understand that鈥痵tudents may not know鈥痶he exact dates of when Ramadan begins and ends鈥痠n advance, since they鈥痸ary and need to be confirmed by religious authorities depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon.鈥疶herefore, students may request consecutive days for accommodations. 鈥���
• Encourage open communication if students require support.鈥赌�
• Offer flexibility in deadlines, as students may have less energy or time to complete their deadline.
• Inform students about accessibility and inclusion services as students may have difficulties with their assignments and quizzes and may ask to do them earlier in the day.
• Refer students to the鈥�贵厂颁鈥�for鈥痜urther support.鈥疐or鈥痠nternational students, there are also a wide variety of supports available through鈥�International Student Services.
• are available from the by request until March 13.
• If you are planning an event that includes food during Ramadan, consider providing takeout boxes so observing students can save their meals to eat when they break their fast.鈥赌��    

Support for international students

International students who are observing鈥疪amadan鈥痺ithout鈥痠n-person鈥痜amily support may experience additional strain.鈥疶here are many online options for students to connect and celebrate, including a number of student-led organizations.  

Students鈥痗an鈥痗onnect through鈥兑魽PP导航鈥疭tudents鈥� Union associations, such as the鈥�, the Calgary Ismaili Students鈥� Association, the鈥�,鈥痑nd the鈥�, or through off-campus communities, like the鈥�.鈥赌�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 

Advice from members of our鈥痩ocal Muslim community鈥��  

In addition to the recommendations above, the FSC and members of 抖阴APP导航鈥檚 Muslim Students Association collected suggestions from Muslims on campus about how the campus community can better support students observing Ramadan.鈥赌� 

For more information and to learn how you can support students during religious observance, please鈥�contact the FSC.鈥�