Dear Barnard Community,
Ramadan is a spiritual month for Muslims that is marked by special observations such as fasting and nightly prayer.
This year in the New York area, Ramadan begins at sunset on Sunday, March 10 and ends at sunset on Tuesday, April 9. The 30-day lunar month is normally commemorated with an Eid holiday celebration, falling for many on Friday, April 10. Observation of the start and end dates may vary by one day depending on different locations and on different schools of thought within the Islamic tradition. Ramadan moves up 11 days annually.
Many practicing Muslims observe fasting and additional nightly Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan and commemorate certain special nights in this month. Taraweeh prayers last for about an hour every night during Ramadan and are generally considered to be highly recommended rather than mandatory. Fasting is typically observed by abstaining from food and drinks from dawn to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan.
This year, with so many pressures threatening to divide us, we appreciate these opportunities to support religious communities within Barnard, as members observe occasions that are important to their faiths and identities.
For Administration and Faculty:
- As noted, Ramadan is calculated to begin on Sunday night, March 10 and end on Tuesday, April 9.
- Due to fasting practices, Barnard will make religious accommodations for students.
- Students observing the fast may ask for a 15 minute break during class to pray and eat a snack if their class coincides with sunset. This year, for most Sunni Muslims, sunset during Ramadan will range from 6:59 PM at the beginning of month, to 7:30 PM at the end of month. Shia Muslims tend to observe their break of the fast about 15 minutes after the given sunset times.
- Students on campus can dine in or take campus meals to go to break their fast, and can be encouraged to pick up a pre-packaged Suhoor bag for one meal swipe in Diana Center Cafe (Monday-Friday, Sunday) and Liz’s Place (Friday afternoon-Sunday) for the pre-dawn meal or deconstructed bag from Hewitt Dining (available every day).
- If faculty need guidance about how best to accommodate students or have questions about any students in their classes, they may reach out to the student’s Class Dean.
- For specific inquiries about Ramandan, email Imam Ebad Rahman (imam@columbia.edu), Columbia’s Muslim Life Coordinator.
For Students
- Students seeking religious accommodations for their observation of the holidays should contact their professors as soon as possible.
- Students are responsible to make up their work and be prepared for the next session.
- If students encounter any difficulties in completing work for their classes, they should contact their Class Dean for support and guidance.
- For specific inquiries about Ramandan and religious accommodations, email Imam Ebad Rahman (imam@columbia.edu), Columbia’s Muslim Life Coordinator.
Programming
Ramadan Iftars and other Opportunities
Barnard’s Dean of the College’s Office, Office of DEI, Student Government Association and the Muslim Student Association are pleased to sponsor two iftars for students, faculty and staff observing Ramadan on Thursday, March 21 and Thursday, March 28. Attendees can break their fast with dates and water and pray the sunset prayer in the Altschul Atrium on the 1st floor of Altschul, and then have dinner in the Diana Center Event Oval.
On Thursday, March 21, please try to arrive at the Event Oval between 7:30-7:45 p.m.
On Thursday March 28, Please try to arrive at the Event Oval between 7:40 -8:00 p.m.
SGA will also sponsor a raffle. These iftars are open to the BC/CUID community. Register here.
Muslim Life at Columbia is offering a number of iftar dinners in the Earl Hall Auditorium (117th Street and Broadway). Students are also welcome to join the nightly taraweeh prayers in the same location. There will be an Eid al-Fitr prayer and celebration on campus on the morning of Wednesday, April 10th.
Dining
Beginning March 10, Barnard Dining will have pre-packaged Suhoor bags for one meal swipe in Diana Center Cafe (Monday-Friday, Sunday) and Liz’s Place (Friday afternoon-Sunday). Hewitt Dining will have deconstructed bags, allowing students to make their own Suhoor meal, for one meal swipe available every day.
- Students observing Ramadan may request to-go boxes from the cashier at Hewitt Dining (Halal dining venue) after entering.
- Hewitt Dining will feature a hot Ramandan-friendly menu, varying daily, at the Innovation Station.
- Dates and watermelon are available by request in Hewitt Dining.
- Visit https://dineoncampus.com/barnard/ramadan-2024 for complete Ramadan dining information
We wish all who are observing a blessed and fulfilling Ramadan.
Please email Deanofthecollege@barnard.edu for further questions.
Sincerely,
Leslie Grinage
Vice President for Campus Life and Student Experience and Dean of the College
Jennifer Rosales
Vice President for Inclusion and Engaged Learning, and Chief Diversity Officer