Every year for one month, Muslims around the world fast for a month, or 29-30 days. This month is called Ramadan and many Muslims at Glenbard South also observe this month while being in school.
Many people wonder when Ramadan will begin or how the dates are determined, since it starts on a different day every year. Ramadan is a month on the lunar calendar, meaning it follows the cycle of the moon to determine when it will start and end. In total, there are 12 Islamic months, Ramadan being the ninth. Since the moon cycle does not match up with the solar calendar, the Islamic months technically “move back” a week or two each year. This year, Ramadan falls from the beginning of March until the beginning of April.
The month of Ramadan is considered holy for a very specific reason. It was during this month that the first few verses of the Quran (the Holy Book for Muslims) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The devil is also locked up during this month, making it easier for Muslims to practice their religion since there are less distractions.
Most Muslims take time out of their days and nights to pray more, to read or better understand the Quran and to spend time together as a community. Many people often forget that Islam is a communal religion, so Muslims constantly try to go to the mosques to spend time with and hear from other Muslims. At Glenbard South, many students attend the Friday prayer during 7th period or go to the Muslim Student Association meetings to spend time with each other.
Of course, handling school, sports and other activities is difficult during Ramadan. Some students choose to not participate in sports during the month of Ramadan, especially since they cannot eat or drink during the day, hindering their performance. Others, however, push through and continue playing their best while fasting. Overall, it is definitely not easy juggling sports, studies and fasting, but it is possible.
Fasting gives a new sense of what to eat in the morning and how to savor energy throughout the day. Although most students and faculty are not Muslim, it may help them to fast a couple days during Ramadan, just as an experience. All it takes is to wake up before dawn, which many already do, have some breakfast, then not eat or drink until sunset.
I recommend that everyone who hasn’t tried fasting to do so at least once. Seeing how it is for yourself is important and can give a new perspective on how others live. Fasting itself is not that hard, all it takes is a little discipline. You may find yourself enjoying the extra time and healthiness of fasting even a couple days a week. So, don’t shy away from something new and foreign, try fasting, even if it’s just to be in the shoes of one of your peers. All in all, Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, and often a very busy one. It is a beautiful time of the year where Muslims can come together and celebrate their religion.
