Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims around the world as a sacred time of fasting, prayer, charity and spiritual reflection. According to Islamic tradition, it was during Ramadan—specifically on Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power—that the Quran, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
From dawn to sunset, those observing the holy month refrain from eating and drinking, focusing instead on discipline, mindfulness and a deeper connection to faith. The month is also a time of atonement when Muslims seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) for past sins while striving to practice restraint and humility. After sunset, families and communities gather to break their fast with a meal called iftar, often beginning with dates and water, followed by a variety of traditional dishes.
To outsiders, Ramadan may appear to be a month of deprivation. But for Muslims, it is a spiritual exercise rooted in self-control, gratitude and compassion for others.
At the University of Detroit Mercy, the spiritual significance of the month is deeply felt among students juggling academic responsibilities alongside their faith. At the eve of dawn, while much of the campus sleeps, Muslim students are awake for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal that begins the daily fast. The early mornings and the late nights are shared challenges among students who are committed to both their faith and their academic responsibilities.
Khulud Gretlein, a biochemistry student, says that labs are the hardest part of her day.
“By the end, even driving back as a commuter feels exhausting because you are running so incredibly low on energy,” Gretlein said.
Co-president of the Muslim Student Association Najat Assaad adds that, “One of the biggest challenges during the month is managing my energy levels throughout the day, especially during long lectures, labs or evening exams.”
Still, Ramadan is about much more than fasting for these students. For Jennah Sabra, 5-year PA student, she said, “Ramadan is a time for me to get closer with my religion. It’s a month for me to let go of so many distractions and slow down in life. To me, it’s a reset.”
While students are met with struggles, they continue to approach Ramadan as a time of fulfillment and peace. Gretlein draws on strength from understanding the deeper meaning of the fast, explaining that, “It’s honestly a blessing to be able to fast by choice and not because of food insecurity, which is a harsh reality for so many people around the world—including those in places such as Palestine, where access to food, water and basic human rights is often restricted.”
Also speaking on the topic, Assaad adds, “Breaking my fast feels like a small victory every day, but more importantly, it’s a reminder that Allah (SWT) sees and rewards every effort, no matter how small. The long days of fasting, the late-night prayers, and even the struggles to balance school and spirituality are part of a greater test, and Allah (SWT) knows our intentions and our sacrifices.”
Together, their reflections paint a picture of Ramadan as a time marked not just by hunger or tiredness, but by faith, discipline and inner strength. Each day of fasting is a challenge, but also an opportunity to grow, to give thanks and to ground themselves in something greater than their daily routine.
Although meaningful for many students, Ramadan is often misunderstood by those who are unfamiliar with the practice.
“A lot of people have told me that they feel sorry for me, or suggest that I take a break,” Sabra said. “While I know it comes from a good place, I can’t help but get upset. I tell them just how enjoyable fasting can be. Sometimes, we have dinner with over 40 people, and it’s the highlight of my week.”
Gretlein shared similar thoughts about how people often reduce Ramadan to just the absence of food.
“In reality, it’s about self-control in every sense: your speech, your actions and even your thoughts,” Gretlein said. “It’s a time to be more mindful about how you treat others and how you carry yourself.”
To these students, the essence of Ramadan lies not in what is given up, but what is gained through discipline, gratitude and reflection. In choosing to fast, they choose to reflect, to reconnect and to move through each day with a greater purpose.
With their observance, many also hope for awareness and support from their university community.
Assaad adds, “I wish professors were more aware of how late-night prayers and early morning meals impact our sleep schedules, which can make it difficult to be fully present in early morning classes.”
For many students, even small gestures of understanding such as professors extending deadlines or peers asking respectful questions make a meaningful difference. Beyond academic support, students say that the most powerful form of solidarity is understanding that can come from awareness, conversation, or, for those open to it, a first-hand experience of a day of fasting.
“It’s one thing to hear about it, but actually doing it gives you a whole new level of understanding,” Gretlein added.
While the fast may end each evening at sunset, and the month eventually draws to a close, the lessons of patience, gratitude, discipline and compassion linger. This holy month should be recognized not for its challenges, but for its beauty as an expression of faith, resilience and the inner strength it takes for these students to stay grounded in their values.
