Muslim KU Student Reveals Difficulties of Fasting for Ramadan while in School

Ahmad Ali discusses the struggles of fasting for Ramadan as a college student in the U.S.

Ahmad Ali discusses Ramadan as a college student over pizza.

As Ramadan approaches, observant Muslim students prepare to fast each day from dawn to dusk starting on May 5thuntil June 4th.

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which also include prayer and charity. While fasting, practicing Muslims abstain from eating and drinking, as well as other activities.

According to Muslim.org, fasting is meant to develop and strengthen one’s powers of self-control, become closer to God, and to empathize with those who may not have access to food or water on a daily basis.

However, as one can imagine, fasting while also juggling school work, exams, and other extracurricular activities can be extremely difficult for some students.

Ahmad Ali, a former KU student from Kuwait, fasted for Ramadan from childhood until he was about 20 years old. For Ali, fasting made it difficult to concentrate during class and complete assignments as he normally would.

“Especially in the late afternoon when your exhausted after a long day, it's hard to focus or even do anything at that point –– all you're thinking about is food and when to break your fast,” Ali said. “It gets to a point where you just want to lay in bed and not move.”

Moreover, the most realistic time for those fasting to do their homework is at night, minus the hours spent eating and praying –– according to Ali, this can really affect one’s sleep schedule.

However, Ali mentioned how professors are typically understanding of those students who are fasting during Ramadan.

“Instructors do help out and give extensions on assignments,” Ali said.

Another struggle for fasting college students is finding a good meal after the sun sets.

Of course, there are many fast food restaurants around town that are open late; however, these restaurants are not always the most appetizing choice to those who have been fasting all day.

“When you’re fasting all day, you don't want fast food… It's bad,” Ali said.

According to Ali, it is a common theme amongst observant Muslim students to break their fast at the end of the day by eating pizza, since these restaurants are typically open late.

“Pizza is a big story –– like everyone does that for a whole month –– they just eat pizza everyday,” Ali said.

Once students get tired of pizza, they may also have the option of buying home-cooked meals from other observant Muslim students.

“There are a lot of people, mostly women PhD students, that know how to cook authentic food –– they basically cook in bulk and sell it. It's a good business opportunity for them. A lot do that,” Ali said.

During Ramadan, the sun typically sets between 8 or 9 p.m. This can become an issue for participating students who typically rely on on-campus dining halls for their meals considering most KU dining halls close at 8 p.m.

Moreover, most dining halls in the U.S. typically do not provide any halal meat options. Halal meat basically ensures that the animal was killed humanely and in the name of God.

A 2010 report by Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, “Halal Food Options in U.S. Higher Education Campus Cafeteria,” revealed that out of the 135 universities surveyed, only about 11 percent serve halal during Ramadan or special occasions –– the rest don't provide any halal food at all.

In the past, KU Dining Services has discussed making halal food available at dining halls; however, it is difficult to do so while remaining financially feasible.

Although many KU Dining locations close at 8 p.m., there are a few options for students to get food past dusk.

“We have three operations on campus, The Studio and Bus Stop on Daisy Hill and Southside at South Dining Commons by Downs and Oliver, that are open until 11:00 PM every night,” said Jim Schilling, the Director of KU Dining Services.

Schilling also mentioned that there are vegetarian and vegan options available everyday for those who do not eat meat. KU Dining also offers to-go containers in all residential dining halls for those participating regardless of their dining plan level to take food for after their fast has ended each day.

Additionally, KU Dining organizes a regular series called “World at Your Table” where they collaborate with international student groups to serve dishes from their home countries at the dining halls.

“While these do not fall during Ramadan in most years, we would always be happy to have events that could feature foods during this time from those who observe the month,” said Schilling. “In 2020 and 2021, Ramadan will fall almost entirely during the end portion of the spring semester which would provide the opportunity to do an event like this.”

Despite the difficulties, fasting provides a way for observing Muslim students to feel more in-touch with God and themselves, foster a community through food and prayer, and empathize with those who are less-fortunate.

And although it may be difficult to find meals to break one’s fast at night, KU does try to provide options to accommodate to observing Muslim students.

“KU Dining strives to be as inclusive as possible with options that anyone may choose,” Schilling said.