Ramadan can be trying for Muslim students at UCLA

By Bimal Rajkomar
Daily Bruin Reporter

During finals, students often find it difficult to find time to
eat while studying. But for Muslim students fasting for the holy
month of Ramadan, the experience poses even more complications.

From Nov. 27 to Dec. 26, Muslims around the world observe the
Fast of Ramadan. Muslims believe it was during this month that the
Quran ““ the Islamic holy book ““ was revealed to the
Prophet Mohammed through the angel Gabriel.

“Fasting is not just abstaining from food and drink, but
guarding your tongue, eyes, ears from any form of sin, as they will
break the fast,” said third-year psychobiology student Amir
Shama.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, with about
1.2 billion followers around the world.

The fast begins each day at the break of dawn with the pre-fast
meal ““ “suhoor.” During the day, participants
abstain from food, drink and anything deemed sinful.

At UCLA, Muslim students gather for four of the five daily
prayers required by the Quran, and break fast together at
sunset.

“Fasting during Ramadan really teaches me to appreciate
everything I have,” said second-year psychology student
Suzanne Cabral.

“Abstaining from food and water allows me to sympathize
with those who are less fortunate and don’t have the luxury
of eating,” she continued.

The word Ramadan refers to the ninth month of the Muslim
calendar and comes from the Arabic root word for “parched
thirst” and “sunbaked ground.”

With the thirst and hunger that comes with fasting, students
develop not only sympathy for others, but unity between family and
friends.

“During the year, we all have our different schedules, but
now we all eat together,” Sumaya Abubaker, a fourth-year
international development studies student.

She said it was best described as a “spring cleaning of
the soul.”

But with students’ busy schedules, the fast can be
difficult.

“You study for so long, you are tired, hungry, weak, you
fall asleep easily, but then you are happy about it,” Sumaya
said.

But some Muslims find the demands of Ramadan not to be as
difficult during finals.

“It works well with the students schedule because you stay
up late and wake up late,” said Reza Kermani, a second-year
physiological science student. “You end up not having to fast
very long.”

Because Ramadan will run through finals week, some Muslims have
had to make special arrangements with teachers.

This quarter, undeclared second-year student Fauzia Kahn will
have to make special arrangements for her 3-6 p.m. final so she can
pray, but does not anticipate any problems.

Other students generally agreed that professors are
accommodating.

“The professors I have talked to have been really
understanding and accepting,” Shama said.

Beside balancing finals with fasting, students have to balance
schedules.

Sometimes Kermani has to ask his roommate’s friends to
leave the room for a while so he can pray.

Although many Muslims find people to be understanding, sometimes
they encounter people who do not respect the religion.

“Occasionally, some try to tempt or purposely eat in front
of those fasting,” Shama said. “But we don’t
mind, it only gives us more reward from Allah.”

Shama noted that several non-Muslim students participated in the
fast after speaking with members of the Muslim Student Association.
He invited people of all faiths to fast.

“It will recharge your spiritual battery, and train your
mind to be a more patient and guided individual,” he
said.

Ramadan culminates on Dec. 22, known as the “Night of
Power.” The Quran states that praying on this night is better
than doing so for 1,000 months, and many Muslims will spend the
entire night in prayer.