The Sacred Month of Ramadan

Muslims worldwide look forward to the start of the Ramadan season, a beautiful time of year for reflection, spiritual renewal, and devotion to Allah. Some of our students and community members at Smith will engage in Ramadan. You will hear many Muslims enthusiastically greet each other with the phrase Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem which means Happy Ramadan. A successful Ramadan requires the collaboration of many different centers and departments at Smith, including Dining Services, Residential Life and the Office of Student Engagement, to whom we are thankful for their support every year. CRSL works closely with the leaders of Al Iman, Smith’s Muslim Student Association, to plan events and opportunities for observants.

What is Ramadan? 

You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God. – Qur’an 2:183 (M.A.S. Abdel Haleem)

Ramadan falls in the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar and is the time of year when adult Muslims are obligated to fast from dawn to sunset, refraining from food and drink including water; and other specific behaviors. Keep in mind there are always exceptions to the rule and there may be instances when you will notice that some Muslims will not observe the fast for personal reasons. This year Ramadan will be observed from February 28 to March 29, 2025. The actual start date is determined by the sighting of the moon.

Ramadan is an annual sacred period of spiritual renewal and purification for Muslims and involves nightly extended prayers, deep personal reflection, Qur’anic reading (from cover to cover), charitable acts, and community festivities. The Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the month of Ramadan. Muslims are used to observing Ramadan with their families and communities, so observant students away from home can experience feelings of vulnerability and isolation. Ramadan can also bring on fatigue and stress, which can be challenging to our students.

Community Support for Observants

The CRSL seeks to make extra efforts to respond to student needs by taking steps to validate, acknowledge and normalize Muslim practices. We regularly seek information through surveys and conversations about students’ hopes and needs. Community iftars (breaking of the fast with an evening meal) both on campus and as part of the larger Muslim community are a critical way to support the wellbeing of students observing Ramadan. CRSL and several other Smith departments and centers host iftars and students are encouraged to cook their meals together when they are able.

Sometimes students may need to request religious considerations from faculty by way of an absence from class or an extension on an assignment and/or exam. Some students from minority Muslim sects undergo an intensive practice of grief and mourning during Ramadan that adds an additional emotional component to the time period. These students may attend observances at more distant mosques which may require more time for travel. Additionally, it’s important to note that some students who do not “visibly” identify as Muslim, celebrate the month of Ramadan and need support during this sacred time.

At the end of Ramadan students may request taking time off to attend the culmination of Ramadan, the Eid celebration, which includes morning prayers at the mosque, a festive community meal, and often other planned events.

We cannot emphasize enough how much students appreciate the support they receive from staff and faculty during Ramadan and small considerations can make a tremendous difference to how students experience this holy time. For some students this may be the first time they are responsible for all the details of their Ramadan experience. CRSL reinforces with students the importance of planning ahead and whenever possible providing their professors and supervisors with as much advance notice as possible if a consideration is needed.

Student Request Form

If a student makes a request that you, as faculty or staff, would like to consult the CRSL on how to best address, you can notify us here: https://forms.gle/TnNjZxRptYq5CrdH9

We want to reiterate that the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life is here for you to consult with on any issues or questions about Ramadan or any of the upcoming religious holidays. We also encourage you to contact the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life directly if you need support to decide on a religious consideration.

Lastly, we are using this time as an opportunity to follow up on the email from the Provost and Dean of the College sent to faculty and staff regarding religious observances. Below you will find a link to Smith’s Interfaith Religious Calendar so you can have access to important information about religious observances:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vP2V7y3RcdXqLaPyZLs96jEQU4TOPmAmTarrgT8zKf0/edit#gid=516717158

This calendar can be added to your personal calendar by emailing Kim Alston at kalston@smith.edu and can serve as an excellent resource for religious observances.

Ramadan Resources

To learn more about Ramadan, go to the links below:

Ramadan Smith webpage:  https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/dining-services/special-diets/ramadan

Recording of the CRSL’s Ramadan Awareness Workshop from 2023, with talks by Smith Students and Muslim Leaders from Hartford International University and Williams College), entitled Deeds That Are Beloved to Allah During Ramadan.

Ramadan Tips 

We also encourage you to reflect on tips written by our Muslim students for faculty and staff, which include six ways that you can better support students during Ramadan.

1.    Make your accommodations clear from the beginning of the semester and allow space for students to approach you if they require accommodations (such as, extensions and recorded lectures)

2.    Be flexible, patient and understanding with students. Allow for more office hours and more opportunities for students to reach out for help

3.    Be patient and understanding with students participating in Ramadan

4.    Provide opportunities for students to connect with you (late office hours are great)

5.    Acknowledge that energy levels will not be high – keep this in mind for student workers, researchers, and presenters and all Muslim students in general

6.    Provide to-go containers if events with food are hosted

The beauty of Ramadan is that it is experienced differently by every Muslim and can transform the life and heart of the individual. The CRSL is excited to partner with our students and campus partners during this blessed time of year.

Kim Alston is the Muslim Student Advisor and the Program and Communications Manager at the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

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