This Article was updated on March 5th
Muslim students at St. Mary’s have just begin fasting this Sunday for the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, participated by by millions of Muslims worldwide. During this time Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, focusing on prayer, and charity. The fast, known as Sawm, involves people not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset for a month. The fast is broken each evening during Iftar, most often starting with dates and water, followed by a traditional meal. It is a time of spiritual overview and the importance of helping those in need and connection to faith with Allah(God).
Muslims of all ages and nationalities take part in Ramadan, although it does change for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people who are ill. Aeyman a senior in St. Mary’s is a Malaysian national who partakes in Ramadan and he breaks his fast with “Some dates and water”. The month is observed in Muslim-majority countries, but in nations with smaller Muslim populations such as Japan the day it starts will be decided based off the closest muslim country which is Malaysia. The breaking of the fast Iftar differs everyday as “It is dependant on the Sunset” Ayeman says. But How do you track the sunset Ayeman says ” He checks it on Go0gle “. Despite this, communities come together to traditions.
