Holding fast Muslim students forge into Ramadan

Author: Thomas Brant and Joseph Bergan

Perhaps one of the most hotly debated religions in politics and the press is Islam. News flooding in from Europe, the Middle East and America all contain stories about the clash between Christians, Muslims and Jews. Perhaps there is no other religion in our world that is so talked-about and misunderstood at the same time.

The Middlebury Campus sat down with Zohra Safi '09, the president of the Islamic Society, to understand what it means to be a Muslim at Middlebury.

"There is a good group of students involved in the Islamic Society and we have got about eight or nine first-years and most of them are practicing Muslims," said Safi.

"One of my goals has been taking care of the needs of a diverse student body," said Reverend Laurie Jordan, Chaplain of the College.

Jordan points out that one of her greatest accomplishments was dedicating a room for the Islamic society. The Islamic Society has a strong following in the College, meeting for Friday prayers in the basement of Forest. In the Forest space, the college has provided prayer rugs and a refrigerator for food during Ramadan. The space was a big improvement on the Islamic Society's previous set up, which was very small, according to Jordan. The Chaplain's office is also currently lobbying for a more plush prayer room for the group.

"The Islamic Society is not a group merely dedicated to Muslims - it includes students from other faiths as well," said Safi. "Part of our experience at Middlebury is to learn and educate others about different faiths and cultures," she added.

"People are nice here and most of them do not care about your religious identity, which I believe is a very positive aspect of this college," said Safi. "I don't think there is a difficulty to be a Muslim on Middlebury's campus."

Throughout September and into the month of October, Muslims around the world are partaking in the fasting month of Ramadan.

"Ramadan is a time of happiness, reward and repentance," said Safi. "Throughout the month, Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset - they don't eat and drink during the day and by sunset they pray and break the fast."

After fasting all day, Muslims in Ramadan gathering for breaking the fast is usually one of somber joy - coming together to enjoy a small reward.

"Usually for breaking the fast we use dates or water and it is available for us in the College," said Safi.

But for Muslims, Ramadan is not all doom and gloom.

"By the end of Ramadan, we have a huge feast and that is called Eid-ul-Fitr," said Safi. "Muslims from all over the world celebrate the end of Ramadan, they prepare sweets and varieties of food and they go visit family and friends. Middlebury has provided every opportunity to make this month special for Muslims."