More Than Fasting: Celebrating Ramadan at Unionville

For many, the holiday Ramadan is seen as simply fasting. However, for Muslim students at the high school, it represents more than not eating from sunrise to sunset. As senior Lara Zlam explains, “it reminds [people who observe Ramadan] how lucky [they] are to have a warm meal to look forward to.”

Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic religion based on the lunar calendar, observed all over the world. It symbolizes self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and gratitude, with Muslims fasting from dawn to sunset to discover the “pricelessness of a full stomach” and the value of everyday necessities, as Zlam said. Beyond fasting, Ramadan is also characterized by an emphasis on prayer and reading the Quran, and concludes with the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marked by feasting, prayer, and family gatherings.

Observing Ramadan during school means balancing these religious activities with schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Students at the high school commonly wake up at 4 or 5 A.M. before dawn to eat a fulfilling breakfast and drink lots of water to prepare them for the day ahead. While some students do not mind being around food during the lunch hour at school, the high school offers movies in the LGI for those who would prefer to avoid it. After school, students then take a nap until dinner and wait until they are satiated to focus on schoolwork.

The school district also recognizes Eid al-Fitr by having off on the first day of the three-day-long festival to allow Muslim students to spend the holy day with their families. “It is a time to be proud of yourself and your family for doing something hard,” Zlam said. Although commonly misunderstood, Ramadan is a reminder not to take food for granted, and the high school’s Muslim students hope the month stimulates greater understanding of the month’s significance and respect within the school community.