Ramadan, a religious holiday in the Islamic calendar, begins today, March 11. 2024. Millions of muslims around the world will begin to fast for 30 days.
Most religious practices in Islamic culture are centered around the ‘Five pillars of Islam’, profession of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. Practiced in Ramadan, fasting is a crucial aspect of Islam, as its goal is to help bring people closer to God and receive forgiveness, according to junior Joelle Lai.
“I find it really interesting how fasting is such a central part of Islamic culture,” Lai said. “I think it is a unique way to increase faith and religion”,
Ramadan is the name of the 9th month in the Islamic calendar and is a time characterized by prayer and fasting. This holiday lasts for the entire month, roughly 29-30 days each year during March and April. The exact start of Ramadan varies each year since this holiday begins on the first day of a new moon, according to religion and spirituality teacher Kathryn Miller.
“When I teach about Ramadan in my classes, I like to explain the experiences that I had while living in the middle east,” Miller said. “Despite fasting from sunup to sun down, it is a joyous month for muslims,”
Muslims strictly abstain from food or drink every day from sunrise to sunset throughout Ramadan. During this holiday, fasting represents a spiritual discipline to strengthen relationships with God, according to sophomore Claire Li.
“Similar to other religions, fasting during Ramadan is seen as a way to create a deeper connection with God,” Li said. “The action of refraining from food during the day leads people to become humbled and turn towards God,”
The Convent and Stuart Hall community provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere for those observing Ramadan, and the school will provide a quiet and respectful environment to those who wish to observe the Dhuhr and Asr prayers during the school day, according to an email sent by Community Life Chair Paul Pryor Lorentz,
“It’s really how Convent and Stuart Hall welcomes students of all different faiths,” Miller said. “The community life chair of each school provides email announcements to the school, recognizing respective celebrations and holy days”.
