Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an essential part of being a Muslim. Muslims fast from dawn until sundown - abstaining from food and drink, and guarding themselves from destructive behavior.

Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.

God states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may achieve greater awareness (of God)." (Qur'an 2:183)

Fasting is not only beneficial to health, but it also allows one to truly empathize with those less fortunate. However, fasting is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of God.

Ramadan is a special time for Muslims everywhere; a time for reflection and greater spirituality. The end of Ramadan is observed by a holiday - Eid al Fitr. On this day, Muslims all over the world celebrate with prayers and an exchange of gifts.

The above text has been taken from the Discover Islam poster series.

Al-Muslimat's Role in Making Ramadan a Festive Month for Students

Many muslims are used to spending Ramadan with their families. However, because many students are away from home for much of the year, Al-Muslimat creates a familial environment for students to celebrate in the residence halls and with the local community.

Muslim students at Wellesley observe and celebrate Ramadan as a community. Many of us gather in our dorm kitchens in the pre-dawn hours to have an early breakfast, or suhoor. We also make a few special trips during the month to IHOP for the fun pre-dawn meal. At the end of the day, we often gather in the dorms to break our fasts and say the Maghrib (evening) prayers together. Wellesley’s dining services provides a wonderful iftar table in the dining halls for students observing Ramadan, and also allows fasting students to eat dinner early, if necessary that year. In addition, many of us gather every night in the Muslim Prayer room Schneider for Tarawih prayers, which are special prayers said in congregation during the month of Ramadan. Finally, at the end of the month we make a trip into Boston for the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer service. In past years we have attended prayers at the Wayland mosque, about 20 minutes away from the college, as well as at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, where over 4,000 Muslims gather for Eid prayers each year. We often hold an Eid Party at Wellesley, and usually participate in the Boston Council Eid Celebration.

Al-Muslimat has Ramadan Committee Co-Chairs who are in charge of organizing Ramadan Iftars, assembling "Ramadan packages" that include nutritional information for college students about fasting, prayer schedules a calendar of events, and some Ramadan treats. The Committee as a whole works to ensure that students are aware of all services and information available to them. Because students are spread across campus, the committee also ensures that each complex has representatives that will organize phone chains to wake up fasting students, and to lend support during this spiritual month.

Al-Muslimat is a part of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at Wellesley College
Edited by: Monet Spells
Originally created by: Mona Ali and Aliyah Khalidi
Last Modified on: March 30, 2006