Nazla Tonni , a senior in psychology, studies for the MCAT despite her dizziness induced by fasting for 15 hours. Although the aspiring pre-medical student sometimes cheats and breaks her fast before sundown, she pushes herself to the extent of nausea for her Muslim faith.
Ramadan marks the most important month on the Islamic calendar. During this month, between dawn and dusk, Muslim students attend classes, study in the library and engage in extracurricular activities throughout the day without a drop of water or nibble of food. The fasting and abstaining from desire, according to Tonni , is a reminder of her relative fortune and well-being.
“I was born in Bangladesh and I don’t remember the poverty, but my family visits often,” Tonni said. “I understand this now more than ever in Ramadan. Bangladesh isn’t one of the most developed countries and the fasting allows you to put yourself in a position that puts things in a different perspective—I am definitely more grateful for what I have.”
According to the Imam of the Islamic Center of Raleigh, Sameh Asal , the month of Ramadan, spanning 30 days and nights, is a time of spiritual cleansing and purification. Asal , a spiritual leader, said the overarching significance of Ramadan is to remind the believer of one’s dependence on God. Islam means ‘submit.’
“To Allah, this purification extends past fasting,” Asal said. “We avoid any sins and intimate contact with our spouses, so we can focus on our relationship with Allah.”
Smoking, drinking and caffeine are forbidden too, according to Asal .
Upon sunset, the religious community will meet together, as families or friends, to break their month-long, ritual fast.
“It’s a struggle in and out of itself,” Anas Al-Sabbagh , senior in biochemistry, said. “There’s an inner struggle in which you try not to sin. It’s not just about abstaining from eating and drinking, but you also try to stay away from any bad things you might want to do—any desires you might have.”
After a hot August day without food or drink, Muslims gather at sunset to break the fast with a date after evening prayers.
“We usually break fast with a date, and if we don’t have a date we use a cup of water,” Al-Sabbagh said.
The Muslim community on campus met in Riddick Hall on Thursday to break their fast. Emphasizing the importance of brotherhood, students exchanged hugs throughout the event and Muslim Student Association leaders distributed cartons of dates to fellow Muslims and non-Muslim students observing the prayer.
Mohammad Moussa , senior in electrical and computer engineering, led the prayer and said he finds energy even in the deficiency of calories.
“People get tired, but although your physical body is tired, you’re more spiritually charged,” Moussa said.
Muslims avoid hitting the caloric wall with a pre-fast meal call suhoor . Tonni said she always eats mango before a day without food.
“In Bangladesh we call it sehri , but I like to eat something simple, like mango before,” Tonni said. “You have to wake up really early, like 4:30, but it’s worth it.”
The Muslim Student Association will hold an outreach event, called Fast-a-thon, to invite non-Muslims to the religious tradition Aug. 25. According to Moussa , the event extends the Ramadan cornerstone of brotherhood and unity beyond the Muslim community.
