Celebrating Ramadan at the University of Essex: Unity, Learning, and Spiritual Growth

The University of Essex is known for its vibrant and diverse community, fostering an inclusive environment where students from different cultures, religions, and backgrounds come together to learn, grow, and succeed.

Ramadan is a significant month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to dusk, engaging in acts of worship, self-reflection, and community service. The University of Essex recognises the importance of this month for its Muslim students and has taken measures to ensure they can observe Ramadan while maintaining their academic commitments.

Personally, when it comes to life at university during Ramadan, it may get a bit boring waiting for sunset to dig in, so I have my own little schedule to keep me busy. Before I start my fast, I wake up just before sunrise and make myself a nutritious meal that will give me enough energy to keep me full during the day. I’ll have a banana with some oats, protein yoghurt and I’ll try to drink a big bottle of water. After that I tuck myself back into bed and catch up on the rest of my sleep.

When I wake up, I start my revision and coursework, and at some point I’ll whack on some Netflix for a break. Towards the late afternoon I’ll start prepping my meal for sunset, again I’ll try to keep it nutritious to account for my fast, I’ll include soup, salad, some carbs, a source of protein and most importantly a lot of water. The 2 hours before sunset are the hardest, so I like to work out just before breaking my fast, usually kickboxing, wrestling or weightlifting training. After that, sunset is just around the corner, so I dash back as the sun is going down to make it home for dinner.

The Essex Islamic Society hosts Iftar every day during Ramadan! Iftar is basically when to break your fast, which is sunset. You can register to join online. They only charge a small fee to provide food to everyone during the whole of Ramadan. There are also designated prayer spaces on campus, allowing students to perform their daily prayers and engage in spiritual activities with ease.

The University's Islamic Society (ISOC) is also actively involved in organising charity dinners and events, encouraging all students to participate and contribute to the local and international community. These initiatives help create a sense of unity, empathy, and compassion among students from different faiths and backgrounds.

By accommodating the needs of its Muslim students during Ramadan and encouraging cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, the University of Essex is truly living up to its commitment to diversity and inclusion. This creates a harmonious and enriching environment for all students, allowing them to grow academically, spiritually, and personally during their time at the university.