Every spring, millions of Muslims around the world mark Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection and community. For Muslim students balancing faith, classes and social life, the holy month offers both challenges and deep spiritual reward.
“Ramadan is about building a spiritual connection with God and humbling yourself before him,” healthcare management freshman Muhammad Sayyid said.
Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions, centers on five key pillars: declaration of faith, prayer, charity, pilgrimage and fasting. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, fulfills the pillar of fasting, an act meant to purify the soul.
During daylight hours, Muslims refrain from food, drink and other indulgences, focusing instead on gratitude, prayer and self-control. The fast encourages empathy for those less fortunate, reminding believers of their dependence on God and community. It’s also a time of forgiveness and reflection.
“During Ramadan, you gain discipline by denying the cravings of your human body, and also it proves you can do difficult things like waking up early. These are habits that you really just carry through your whole life,” software engineering freshman Ibrahima Traore said.
At sunset, families and friends gather for iftar, the nightly meal that breaks the fast. Mosques and student groups often host community dinners, open to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Though the core practices are the same, Ramadan traditions vary widely. In the Middle East, iftar begins with dates and soups. In Indonesia, sweet drinks and fried snacks are common. In West Africa, families share dishes like jollof rice or soups after evening prayers.
At UTD, the Muslim Student Association hosts weekly iftars, charity drives and educational panels to share the meaning of the month with others. A typical Ramadan day starts before dawn with suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, and Fajr, the first prayer of the day. After classes and work, many students prepare iftar, attend community prayers and spend evenings studying or reading the Qur’an.
“Honestly after doing it for so long, I don’t even feel that I’m fasting anymore. There are some days where, since you can’t drink, you feel a little dehydrated and it’s hard to focus but you learn to live around it,” mechanical engineering freshman Faris Faisal said.
Fasting can test physical and mental stamina. Many students highlight the importance of rest, hydration between meals and community accountability. Having friends who share the same goals often helps.
“Ramadan for me has been the best opportunity to connect with the Muslim community. Like you go literally every week to break your fast with everybody else during the weekly iftars that the MSA holds. Usually I don’t have time in my schedule but I can’t miss these,” Khalil said.
Student organizations often check in on one another, offering meal prep support or study groups timed around prayer breaks.
Public figures across sports and culture often speak about their experiences fasting. NBA player Kyrie Irving, for instance, has said he is able to play during the season while fasting.
“It’s really a journey with God. And I’m not alone. I have all of my brothers and sisters fasting with me,” Irving said.
The fast concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a holiday of celebration, charity and gratitude. Muslims dress in new clothes, attend morning prayers and share sweets with family and friends. Many also donate to others through zakat al-fitr, a charitable contribution marking the end of Ramadan.
The month may conclude, but its lessons — patience, generosity and mindfulness — continue throughout the year.
