Ramadan is a sacred and holy month in the religion of Islam that involves fasting from sunrise to sunset. This is done because it helps create self-discipline, which supports Muslims getting closer to Allah, and in the Muslim faith, Allah is God. The reason Ramadan is so important is that it is a time for Muslims to purify their hearts, strengthen their relationship with God, and build self-discipline through fasting, prayer, and charity. Sophomore Hussein Mousa explains his experience as a  Muslim fasting during Ramadan while still being a student at Shorewood. “I often find myself falling asleep during class because of the fasting,” said Mousa. For other Muslim students like Mousa, Ramadan can go beyond just fasting. It’s about balancing faith, academics, extracurriculars, and whatever other activities they might have going on.

 “Ramadan teaches you discipline, which creates a closer relationship with Allah,” said Mousa. Ramadan began on Feb. 17 and ends on March 19. This means fasting every single day from sunrise to sunset of that month-long span. Not only can fasting be hard because you do not eat for a big portion of the day, it can also make you physically exhausted. Families gather after sunset to break their fast with a meal called Iftar. Some even eat before the sun rises with a meal called Suhoor, which can obviously make anyone tired since you get up earlier than normal. These meals can impact sleep, so with all of this considered, it is very important to have an understanding of this and respect people who are fasting.  

Here at Shorewood, the Muslim Student Association (MSA), which is open to everyone regardless of whether they follow Islam or not, provides a space to learn about Islamic traditions such as Ramadan and to ask questions in a non-judgmental and welcoming environment. For Muslim students, the MSA provides a sense of community and support. For non-Muslim students, it is an opportunity to better understand their peers and the significance and impact of Ramadan for their classmates. By understanding what Ramadan looks like for people at Shorewood, our community can have better awareness and a greater level of respect.