Fasting During Ramadan

About 20 students confirmed via email that they were going to be fasting during Ramadan according to Megan Putney, the assistant director of International Student Services and advisor to the Islamic Culture Club. The actual number of fasting students is likely to be higher, however. In fact, many Muslim-identifying students at St. Lawrence University are eagerly counting down the days between now and the evening of March 10, which marks the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic Lunar Calendar.  

From then until Eid-al-Fitr, practicing Muslims (who are able to) fast from sunrise to sunset. They spend the whole month in a period of prayer and reflection, engaging with their surroundings in a mindful manner. Although this is a time for spiritual engagement, it should also be noted that fasting Muslims still have to undergo the travails of everyday life like everyone else. Despite all those hours spent on the prayer mat, our finals will not, in fact, dissolve into smoke. 

Students taking their last meal of the day during the late hours of the night are still required to attend classes until they can finally get a sip of water late in the evening, at 7 to 8 p.m. 

It is often easy to take for granted how readily available food is for most of the day when you do not have to adhere to such strict schedules. When looking for our morning meal at 5 a.m. before the fast begins, we end up finding Dana locked, or the Pub closed down. 

As a response, Dining Services has offered to accommodate the needs of fasting students by having them ask for food orders before their early morning meal. They will be able to pick their orders, which includes specially procured dates and breakfast foods, at Dana during dinner. 

 “This is a service provided throughout the month, and has been active for a while now,” says Megan, emphasizing on the commitment shown by Dining Services in meeting individual students’ needs during this time. For Eid, she also notes that they are also looking for student suggestions while preparing special meals catered to them.  

Furthermore, there are upcoming events on and off-campus to further strengthen the ties between the Muslim community in the local area. There will be a communal Iftar Party organised by ICC at Eben on March 30, open to all members of the local community. All are welcome, Muslim-identifying, non-Muslims, SLU folks, non-SLU folks.  

During Eid, the ICC has arranged for transportation services allowing folks to engage in group prayers at the Potsdam Masjid. Considering that the auspicious day falls on a Wednesday, Mahmoud Ali ’26 advises to students fretting over absences to “talk to your faculty beforehand. They will be understanding about it.” He notes the importance of making space for such celebrations in one’s life.  

There certainly seems to be an air of excitement among many students right now, and as difficult as it might be on an altered schedule and hectic semester, don’t forget to enjoy what’s to come!