University College London is one of the top public universities in London and ranked #9 in QS World University Rankings 2024 and 1st in England to welcome students of any religion or social background having almost 37,000 students from the globe, taking care of its every student. Therefore, UCL Chaplain and Interfaith Adviser “Reid Humble” gives seven tips for students observing Ramadan by introducing the month of Holly Ramadan. He advised the students to plan your timetable in advance as possible, so you can schedule organising your relevant coursework, revision, rest, daily exercise, prayer and meals in the most efficient way possible. He suggests to make good food choices when eating a suhur (pre-dawn meal) and even recommend to eat slow energy release food such as grains, oats, beans, and protein, as well as maximising fluid intake. He also advised to refresh your wudu (ritual ablution) to help ease the feeling of lethargy.
Kirstin Kelley is a residence life professional at Green Mountain College in Vermont, United States who suggests few simple things teachers can do to support students during Ramadan. She advised to avoid food-centric class events, create an alternative space during lunch, reduce potentially dangerous physical activity and Keep an eye out for students who may need additional support during the month of Ramadan. She says that “Ramadan is a great opportunity to teach your class about Islam and build empathy for Muslims. You may offer Muslim students the opportunity to talk about their experiences, take a field trip to a mosque, or do a whole unit about the history of Islam” and “you may want to decorate(class rooms) on your own or get the whole class involved in the process. This is a great opportunity for Muslim students to teach their classmates about their own traditions if they wish”.
The institutions of the west are being attracted to the world for such type of attitudes and approaches which are of course rendering the parental role establishing the institutions as homes. When you will offer rank & respect, space & status, love & liking to each community and culture, race and religion, they would respond back with same outlook and even would contribute in advertising & uplifting the scene & scenario prevails in the institution. Are we behaving like this? Are we ready to behave like this? Are we allowed to behave like this in Pakistani institutions? Can a teacher present any other culture or religion? Is it acceptable here in Pakistan to take care of other sect/ religion or religious celebrations? The answer for instance is “YES”, because of course, leaders from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities use to organise such types of events to encourage interfaith and inter-sect harmony and to reduce hatred and intolerance, the question is whether this is a normal practice or just a routine matter in the Islamic world and especially in Pakistan? Once “The independent” reported that Isis boasts of violent Ramadan with claim it killed or wounded 5,200 people.
Ramadan is a month of discipline, self-control, patience, and inculcating good behaviour. Ramadan teaches to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate and helps us to understand the suffering and the pains of the poor and needy. By our voluntary hunger and thirst we realize what it means to be deprived of the basic necessities of life. Our state at large and educational institutions especially have to take special initiative for social cohesion. Only the “Iftaar dinners” can even become a strong tool for removing misperceptions among followers of different faiths by enhancing interaction and dialogues among them. Pakistan and especially the youth need to promote acceptance along with tolerance in establishing durable peace, patience, and pluralism in the society through their educational institutions. There is dire need of working to prevent extremism and radicalization by providing opportunities for young people to learn about different cultures and religions and fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect that could be better done in the month of sympathy and empathy in the educational institutions.
The author is a professor of Islamic Studies at Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan.
