As the winter season comes to an end, many Muslim students at UW Bothell and around the world will begin a month-long tradition observed by millions during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Feb. 17 marks the start of a 30-day journey of fasting, prayer and reflection. This tradition is not only a spiritual rejuvenation but also a long-held cultural practice that strengthens community bonds and personal discipline. For many people, Ramadan is defined by the fast from dawn to sunset, where one abstains from food and drinks. However, this month carries greater importance than just physical discipline.
“Ramadan is a time for reflection, discipline, self-growth and spiritual renewal,” said Aasiya Sathar, a senior computer science major and Co-President of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) club on campus. “Growth doesn’t always have to be an individual personal thing. When you’re reflecting and growing with those around you, there’s a lot of strength and power in that too.”
History and Culture
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar calendar, and is the official month of fasting for Muslims worldwide. Believed to have begun in 610 CE, the act of fasting started around 624 CE. It is considered the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam which consist of faith, prayer, charity, fasting and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. During this time, Muslims will perform meaningful rituals that illuminate their faith, exercise humility, and engage in self-reflection, as stated by the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Several rituals occur during Ramadan, including deepened praying and reading the Qur’an in its entirety throughout the 30 days of worship. Another important action taken is giving charity to those in need. According to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), this can be done in numerous ways, such as providing iftar by handing out meals at food drives or community events.
Ramadan is also a time to improve on a spiritual and physical level by avoiding negative acts like gossiping, lying or arguing. According to the Islamic Network Group, this is to help individuals to grow their moral excellence. It serves as a vital period to intentionally slow down and step back from the frantic pace of daily routines, creating a window for deep self-reflection and personal improvement. Ramadan is about improving oneself, which is why it’s also considered a time to be sociable. Muslims meet for congregational prayers at mosques and invite each other to meals after fasting to spend quality time together
Navigating Campus Life
For students like Sathar, participating in Ramadan as a full-time student requires a rigorous balancing act. Daily routines change entirely during the month, like waking up before dawn for a meal, attending classes throughout the day while fasting, breaking the fast at sunset with iftar and praying late in the night.
“It’s almost like you’re in a different time zone of your own,” Sathar said. She noted that the act of fasting is about managing sleep and energy levels. Sather describes her first experience of Ramadan on campus, recalling a difficult schedule of early morning and late-night classes interrupting Iftar and prayer time. “I would run out in the middle of my last class, break my fast really quick with a snack and a sip of water, go back to class, finish up and then go straight to my prayers.”
This year, the stakes are higher since finals week are expected to coincide with Ramadan. Sathar encourages students to be proactive, recommending they fill out UW Bothell’s religious accommodation forms. One common request she makes of professors is moving assignment deadlines from midnight to early morning.
“Midnight I will probably be in the middle of my prayers,” she explained, finding it easier to have due dates in the early morning due to the change in sleep schedule.
UW Bothell has taken steps to support its Muslim community. It provides a dedicated library resource page for students during Ramadan, detailing religious accommodations and campus resources. Sather also noted a positive shift in campus awareness this year. “I received an email saying, ‘Hey, we know Ramadan is this quarter, so we want to remind you to make sure you fill out the religious accommodations form.’ That is the first time it has been acknowledged like that in my time here,” she said. Acknowledgement is crucial in making students feel seen which is why it’s important for faculty to support Muslim students during this time. As stated by American University, faculty should be flexible, understanding and empathetic towards students during this time by designing classroom polices with the assumption that Muslim students are present. Faculty should aspire to adjust attendance policies as needed and be flexible with due dates. Even a small conversation to acknowledge Ramadan can encourage an individual to ask for adjustments during this month.
UWB offers prayer rooms known as a Serenity Room, in the Diversity Center (UW-191a) and other campus locations including Husky Hall. These rooms are exclusively meant for prayers, reflection and meditation, securing it as an area of silence used by Muslim students.
Community
This year, MSA is holding an Iftar event on Feb 25 at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC). This event is open to all UW Bothell and Cascadia College students, as well as friends and family. These gatherings allow people to come together in shared celebrations and community building. Iftars take place during sunset to mark the breaking of the fast, providing a space for students and neighbors to gather over one collective meal.
As Ramadan approaches, the message from the MSA is one of community. Faculty at UWB also play a big role in this and are encouraged to create a classroom environment that respects all students by making adjustments without penalization.
While the month is a time for self-reflection and prayer, it also serves as a bridge to unite Muslims worldwide. The MSA aims to create a welcoming space for diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences of the Muslim community. Whether it is through a shared plate at the ARC or a conversation about the significance of Ramadan, community events such as an Iftar offer a chance for the student body to celebrate the values of compassion and community together.
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