Honoring Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr
A message from: Lorenley Báez, Associate Provost for Equity & Belonging
Office of Equity & Belonging
Dear Students,
Muslims worldwide commemorate the annual religious observance of Ramadan, which began Friday, February 28, and concludes on Saturday, March 29. This religious celebration lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is one of the holiest times of the year for Muslims. During this month, Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. Fasting is viewed as an act of worship drawing one closer to God, as well as a form of spiritual discipline, gratitude, and a means to empathize with those less fortunate. At the end of the day, the fast is typically broken with prayer and a meal called Iftar, followed by an evening prayer called Tarawih.
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, which this year falls on Saturday, March 29 through Sunday, March 30. On this day, there is a community-wide prayer service in the morning, along with a gathering among friends and family where a meal is shared and gifts are exchanged.
We honor and celebrate the Muslim community for its contributions, achievements, and successes while also recognizing ongoing Islamophobia, discrimination, and marginalization that attempts to erase the essence of who Muslims are as a people. It continues to remain critical that we not only persist in our support and advocacy of this faith community, but be active participants in the process of rooting out ignorance, bias, and hatred. As we move forward, we must lead with a desire to increase empathy for each other and center our humanity. Only then can we begin to internally heal and cultivate a global sense of what it means to be in a peaceful community with each other, with an understanding of how the fate of the world, and that of humanity, is intertwined.
I encourage you to connect with the following on-campus student clubs/organizations to learn more about this vibrant community, as well as visit Narwhal Nation for a more comprehensive listing, including student-led activities.
- Iranian Student Culture Club
- Indonesian Student Association
- Pakistani Students Association
- MENA Creatives
- Muslim Student Association
The Muslim Student Association invites you to potluck Iftar on Friday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Student Hub. Additionally, all who observe are welcome to use the university’s Meditation, Contemplation, and Prayer space during Ramadan and Eid al Fitr. The space is located in the University Center, room UL206. New School community members also have access to attend prayers and daily Iftar dinners at the Islamic Center at NYU.
I look forward to honoring our Muslim community at The New School!