About Ramadan: Educational Series

by Dr. Kenneth D. Waters, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The level of diversity that presents itself on this campus is quite noteworthy and something that adds distinct value to our community. Whether I am having an informal conversation with a student, faculty member, or one of our Bullis families, I always leave our interaction enlighted. In these moments, I get the opportunity to learn about someone's culture, religion, native language, family tradition, and more. Having this newly obtained knowledge, I feel compelled to share what I have learned with others.

As part of my work on campus, I have challenged myself to advance student voices and to create a space for all students to be seen, heard, and valued. In noting this, I will begin producing a series of articles and videos that will highlight the vast diversity and intersectionality of our learners' cultures and religions.

To begin, considering that we have Muslim students, and they just concluded Ramadan, I had the distinct pleasure of talking to a few of them, along with a few families, about their Islamic faith.

Can you educate us on Ramadan and its importance to the Islamic faith and Muslims in our community?

Rosallah Karim P '26,' 28: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and one of the five pillars of Islam. In the Quran, Muslims are instructed to fast and therefore celebrate Ramadan by ritually fasting for the month in gratitude to God for His final revelation. Billions of Muslims around the world observe Ramadan all at the same time.

Leelas M. '24: Ramadan is when Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. The reason we fast is to sympathize with people who do not have access to necessities. Muslims worldwide observe this monthlong period of fasting, praying, and reflecting. Throughout the month of Ramadan, people are closest to God. Fasting helps people practice self-discipline and makes everyone stronger. When it's time to break the fast, people gather together, strengthening community bonds.

Shahera (Sherry) Youssef Younes P '26: Ramadan is one of the five core pillars of Islam and, therefore, for Muslims, it is very important in the Faith. For the Muslim community (and even non-Muslims living in Muslim countries, of which there are many) it is a very festive month anchored in family dinners, special Ramadan series on television, and other Ramadan traditions like special foods and drinks including Qatayef for dessert and apricot juice to break the fast along with Dates.

Zaria K. '26: We fast as a discipline and to remind ourselves that God has provided us with everything we need. Observing Ramadan is a reminder to work on ourselves spiritually, and it's euphoric. I've been fasting since I was nine, and as a Muslim, you are required to start when you begin puberty. Some don't because of mental barriers or health issues.

What are the essential tenets of Ramadan?

Shahera (Sherry) Youssef Younes P '26: There are five pillars – Faith, Prayer, Fasting (Ramadan), Zakat (giving alms), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

Rosallah Karim P '26, '28: Fasting is an essential tenet in observing Ramadan. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and consider fasting as a major act of worship. The fast prohibits all food, drink, and nutrition during the day and provides both physical and spiritual benefits including self-reflection and empathy toward others. In addition to fasting, Muslims spend the month reading the Quran, in night congregational prayer, performing service, and giving charity. Ramadan is a month of self-restraint and gratitude and requires the practice of patience and compassion in daily work and activities.

When does Ramadan begin and end? Is it the same time each year, and if not, can you explain why Ramadan changes?

Rosallah Karim P '26, '28: The month of Ramadan begins at the sighting of the new crescent moon which indicates the previous month has ended. Ramadan ends after 29 or 30 days after the sighting of the next crescent moon. Ramadan moves up every year by approximately 10-12 days because the Islamic calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year.

Shahera (Sherry) Youssef Younes P '26: Ramadan follows the Islamic calendar so it moves by 10 days. This year it started on March 22 and it will end on Friday, April 21. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar that consists of 354 days, so its 12 months slowly cycle through different seasons. Then begins the Eid holiday. It is the first time Muslims can eat during daylight hours after fasting during Ramadan. The translation of "Eid al-Fitr" from Arabic sums up the holiday as it means "festival of breaking the fast." Eid al-Fitr is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. These days are filled with lots of eating, special foods, and Kahk, a special sweet dessert.

How does your family observe Ramadan? Do you have any family traditions?

Leelas M. '24: During Ramadan, my family gets together, and we break our fast with each other. It is called Iftar when Muslims break their fast at sunset; all Muslims break their fast the same way, with a Date. When we break our fast, we break it with a Date and water; then we always have soup, salad, a main meal, and fruits. Family is essential; during Ramadan, we spend much time together. On the weekends, we always go out to our friends' houses for Iftar and enjoy time together. Another thing my family does during Ramadan is donate to charity, as Muslims are instructed to empathize with the less fortunate throughout the entire month.

Zaira K. '26: We pray together and there are fun things for kids to do. After Eid, we come together with other friends and family and eat breakfast together. Being that I was homeschooled before Bullis, and this is the first time I've been in a school, I am used to being off.

Shahera (Sherry) Youssef Younes P '26: We fast from sunrise to sunset and then have breakfast together as a family. We try to eat reasonably to reinforce the core principles of fasting, which are mindfulness, self-restraint, self-discipline, and modest consumption. We watch special Ramadan programs and series and some more diligent Muslims pray special prayers every evening. It should be noted that Ramadan family and cultural traditions vary from the Middle East to Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia) vs. some Sub-Saharan African cultures. I unfortunately am not very familiar with practices outside of the Middle East.

Rosallah Karim P '26, '28: Every day, our family begins with an early morning meal, known as Suhoor where we nourish our bodies with a meal that will carry us throughout the day and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Our meal often consists of healthy fruits, bagels, eggs, and oatmeal. We then begin our fast and work to remain in remembrance of God throughout the day. At sunset, we break fast at Iftar, or our evening meal, where we enjoy our family favorites or whatever the children want as a reward. During Ramadan, we also enjoy hosting beautiful Iftars at home with family and friends or attending meals at our local Islamic centers.

Service and giving is a big deal for us as a family. Every Ramadan, we have a family tradition of hosting toiletry drives, toy drives, and fundraising for those in need throughout the US and globally. We feed those in need throughout the DMV and visit the sick and elderly. These acts of service are so dear to us, and we are extremely grateful to be able to perform them continuously during Ramadan and other times of the year.

Please share anything else you believe we, as a Bullis community, should know about Ramadan, Islam, and Muslims.

Shahera (Sherry) Youssef Younes P '26: Ramadan is a time of giving, sharing, and feeling for those who do not have as much as we do or who are not as fortunate as we are. It is a time for feeding and hosting those who are in need. It is a core pillar of Islam and a very special moment for Muslims. It would be wonderful if the community would engage with those practicing Islam in the Bullis community. I would have loved to help organize an iftar (breaking of the fast) — maybe next year.

Leelas M. '24: Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, meaning it is a crucial part of the religion. At the end of Ramadan, Eid-al Fitr is celebrated. It is a three-day celebration where we get together with family and friends; have a big lunch, give gifts to each other, and celebrate our accomplishments. While fasting, it is essential to recognize health and care for it. If one is taking medicine, they are exempted from fasting, which is usually elderly or people with health conditions. When women get their menstrual cycle, they are also exempted from fasting. It is essential to respect each other, even including non-Muslims. The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual renewal and personal growth.

Zaira K. '26: Ramadan helps us become more peaceful. Ramadan is a reminder to stay grateful!

Rosallah Karim P '26,' 28: While we celebrate Ramadan at the same time around the world, Ramadan is uniquely different for every person who observes it. When asking what Ramadan means to us, for our (Karim) family, we see it as a month of deep devotion to God, reflecting on how to be better people, self-control, discipline, seeking forgiveness, being altruistic, and empathizing with others. Another person or family will define it in their own special way. What we all, as Muslims, usually agree on is that Ramadan is always dearly missed every year once the month is over. It's like missing a dear friend who you know is coming back, but you love so much. Ramadan Mubarak to all!