Inside UCR

Campus resources during Ramadan

February 27, 2025
Middle Eastern Student Center
February 27, 2025

With the month of Ramdan beginning around Friday, Feb. 28, here is some information and resources to support students, staff, faculty, and other community members who may be observing and fasting.

Resources

1.    Ramadan 2025 Campus Dining Options (February 28-March 29)

  •  Suhoor Packs are available at Glasgow and Lothian Residential Restaurants
  •  The Halal Shack at UCR has extended hours for Ramadan:  Feb. 28 to March 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; March 9 to March 28, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.    

2.    How To Request a Religious Accommodation for Ramadan and Eid 

       Local civil rights and advocacy nonprofit - Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Los Angeles

3.    UCR Muslim Student Association's Islam Awareness Week (Feb 24-Feb 28) 

4.    Ramadan 101 by Muslim Women Professionals

5.    Article - 9 Questions About the Muslim Holy Month You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask 

6.    NASPA Webinar on Supporting Muslim Students on Campus

7.    MIT Division of Student Life Ways to Support Muslim students

 

Some important things to keep in mind

1.    Religious Accommodations

  •      Ramadan coincides with Finals Week
  •      You may see increased requests for time to pray, break the daily fast, etc.

2.    Different Start & End Dates/Times

      It is based on a lunar calendar so it is common for Muslims to start and end on different days (by 1 or 2 days); Different sects may break their fast at different times

3.    Ramadan looks different depending on the person 

      Some Muslims may choose not to participate or may participate in different ways

4.    Underlying conditions may be exacerbated

  •     Although individuals who have an illness are exempt from fasting some may still do so
  •     Mental health issues may increase because of lack of sleep, food
  •    Those with eating disorders may have certain habits return if they feel pressure to observe the fast

5.    In addition to fasting, students are likely operating on highly altered sleep schedules which can impact mood, academics, etc. 

6.    Try not to assume people are or are not fasting

       This is a personal decision 

Time of Reflection and Joy 

1.    Ramadan is welcomed with joy because it is seen as a time for increased levels of spirituality, charity, breaking bad habits, and building community 

2.    The holiday Eid-al-Fitr comes at the end of the month and is one of the biggest celebrations in Islam