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 Friday, February 28 and ends at sunset on Saturday, March 29. The 30-day lunar month is normally commemorated with an Eid holiday celebration, which falls for many on Sunday, March 30. 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.
As always, we appreciate the opportunity to support religious communities within Barnard, as our students, faculty, and staff observe occasions that are important to their faiths and identities.
For Administration and Faculty
- Ramadan is calculated to begin on Friday night, February 28 and end on Saturday, March 29, and is normally commemorated with an Eid holiday celebration, falling for many on Sunday, March 30.
- 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 5:48 PM at the beginning of month to 7:18 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 a 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 Ramadan, email Columbia’s Imam Dr. Ebad Rahman (imam@columbia.edu) and/or The Office of Religious Life (religiouslife@columbia.edu).
For Students
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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 Ramadan and religious accommodations, Columbia’s Imam Dr. Ebad Rahman (imam@columbia.edu) and/or The Office of Religious Life (religiouslife@columbia.edu).
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 Tuesday, March 11, and Wednesday, March 26.
On March 11, around 6:45 p.m., attendees can break their fast with dates and water and pray the sunset prayer in the Glicker Milstein Theatre (GMT) on Lower Level 2 of the Diana Center, and then have dinner in the Event Oval. Please try to arrive at the Event Oval around 7:30 p.m.
On March 26, around 7 p.m., attendees can break their fast with dates and water and pray the sunset prayer in the LeFrak Auditorium on the lower level of Barnard Hall, and then have dinner in the Diana Center Event Oval. Please try to arrive at the Event Oval around 7:45 p.m.
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 Sunday, March 30.
Dining
Beginning February 28, 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 Ramadan-friendly menu, varying daily, at the Innovation Station.
- Dates and watermelon are available by request in Hewitt Dining.
- Additional items will be available a la carte in the Byte Kiosk in the LeFrak Center.
- Visit https://dineoncampus.com/barnard/ramadan-2025 for complete Ramadan dining information.
We wish all who are observing a blessed and fulfilling Ramadan.
Sincerely,
Leslie Grinage
Vice President for Campus Life and Student Experience and Dean of the College