Gabriel Gonzalez
Student Life Editor
ESU is already a week into Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. Since March 10, students practicing the faith and adhering to the tradition have gone without sustenance from the moment the sun rises to the moment it sets, and this will go on until Ramadan ends on April 9. Many students have already received an email from the Center for Multicultural Affairs with some information on the practice. But for greater depth, Ayah Ibrahim, a psychology major and president of the Muslim Student Association, took time to explain the origins, the practices, the misconceptions and the importance.
“Ramadan is a month in which Muslims engage in much worship and perform as many good deeds as they can,” said Ibrahim. “During Ramadan, Muslims let go of worldly matters and focus on strengthening their relationship with God through many means.”
It is referred to as the month of the Quran, the central religious text of Muslims, because it was in this month the Prophet Muhammed first received the revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. The first word of revelation given to the prophet was “read,” Ibrahim explains. This began the 23 years of revelation, a period in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. In year 14 of the revelation, fasting for Muslims became obligatory.
Before sunrise, practicing Muslims pray for the first time in the day (Fajir) and consume Suhoor (a meal consumed before fasting) for fuel. After sundown, the Maghrib prayer is called and Muslims have Iftar, the breaking of fast.
There are exceptions for those with illness, those who are traveling, women on their menstrual cycle or reverts (new Muslims). But if able, it will have to be paid back through more fasting or charity.
Ramadan is a cornerstone of the culture, and a sentiment shared by ESU’s Muslim population.
Ibrahim explained, “What’s really cool also is that somehow, Subhan Allah, I find power and energy when I am fasting that I sometimes do not find on a normal day. I can give two examples of this. During high school, I failed my fitness gram pacer test and I had to redo it later. When it came time for me to redo the pacer test, it coincided with Ramadan and my gym teacher would not let me off the hook. Apparently, she had track students who were Muslim and fasting so I could do it too. I was not a track athlete though. Nevertheless, I ended up passing the pacer test while fasting.”
