The Mount Holyoke News

Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Perspectives

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In the Islamic calendar, the month of Ramadan can signify different things to different people around the world. For many devout Muslims observing its religious obligations, the month is welcomed with an attitude of religious awakening and renewal, and is believed to be a period in which prayer is especially important and rewarding. For others, Ramadan offers a social and cultural dimension that translates into shorter work days and special extended television programming for fasting Muslims eagerly awaiting the breaking of the fast. The month has been described as a time when the Middle East goes nocturnal. Restaurants and stores that remain closed throughout the day open around 7 p.m. in the evening, and remain open well into the dark of the night in order to cater to  massive crowds that were nowhere to be seen during the day.

Outside of predominantly Muslim countries, however, the culture and traditions associated with Ramadan are not as prevalent and it is more difficult to observe the same amount of community celebration in the month.  Thankfully, for Muslim students at Mount Holyoke the Ramadan experience is not as strenuous. UMMA, the Muslim student association on campus, organizes Suhoor every morning, Iftar every evening and trips to the mosque for Taraweeh prayers every night. An interview with the current president of the organization, Myra Kaiser ‘09, offers insight into what is being done to accommodate Muslim students during Ramadan.

What is significant about this year’s Ramadan is the direct role Eliot House and Dining Services are playing in providing food options for fasting students. In previous years, Ramadan was a difficult project to organize, as UMMA was responsible for everything, including outside catering from Indian restaurants for Iftar every evening. Muslims break their fast at sundown, at which time the dining halls would already be closed. Had it not been for UMMA’s catered dinners, Blanchard would have been the only option for ensuring dietary sustenance. Fortunately, Eliott House is “taking the reins and getting stuff together,” said Kaiser.  Coordinating with Dining Services is one of the initiatives geared towards making Ramadan easier on campus.

This year marks the first time a dining hall has applied extended hours to accommodate fasting students. In addition to Eliot House being open daily for Suhoor at 4 a.m., Wilder Hall is now open for dinner until 8:15 p.m. every night. When asked if there have been any challenges related to UMMA's new relationship with dining services, Kaiser replied, “Dining services is really helping us and cooperating with all our needs.” Indeed, Mount Holyoke continually strives to maintain its reputation as a community that is accepting of different religions and cultures.

For many first-year students, the month of Ramadan can inflict an even stronger wave of home-sickness than is experienced at any other time of year.

“I think it's a lot more difficult to get into the spirit of Ramadan on a college campus. You have to try really hard, since we’re surrounded by studies and people living a completely different lifestyle,” said Kaiser. With an assuring look she added, “But, it gets easier with time if you actively seek out a successful Ramadan by attending the Suhoors and Iftars, and continuing your own family traditions.”

The cultural differences between Western and Muslim countries during Ramadan are obvious. Many are unaware of the existence of the month and its special practices; a sharp contrast to the atmosphere experienced during Ramadan in predominantly Muslim countries.  UMMA, which literally means “community” in Arabic, has managed to bridge that religious divide in the creation of a community bound by a common identity and purpose during this holy month.    

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