Maya Omar Choudhry is a first-year student at the University of St. Michael’s College, double majoring in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies as well as Drama Studies. She is a current member of the University of Toronto’s Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Being highly athletic from a young age, she is also part of the U of T’s TriathlonClub.
As a Pakistani Muslim, I was speechless and totally overwhelmed with emotion when I received an email from the St. Michael’s community announcing that they had set up a Ramadan meal accommodation program for the minority Muslim students living in residence. This revelation was like a breath of fresh air and seriously sounded like music to my ears. I felt an incredible self of relief as I had been pondering upon what my first Ramadan in a non-Muslim country would be like, away from my family.
This may sound like a small gesture, but for us Muslim students this extremely thoughtful and highly considerate gesture was as good as gold. This kind act was such an inspiration that it reflected that there are no boundaries when it comes to helping others and that too during this blessed month.
Monday, May 2, 2022 – 6:00 AM
For those of you who are not familiar with Ramadan, it is the most sacred and holiest month, which falls ninth under the Islamic calendar. During the month of Ramadan, it is believed that on the night of Layat-Al-Qadr, also known as The Night of Power, Allah sent angel Jibraeel to our beloved Prophet Mohanned (pbuh) to reveal the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.
The Prophet Mohammed reportedly said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.” It is a month to reflect on what it means to be a true Muslim, a time to indulge in spiritual discipline and build a stronger bond with Allah. It is time for repenting from the depths of your heart by asking Allah Almighty for forgiveness so that you will never repeat a certain mistake or misdeed again, because no matter how big a person’s sin is, it is not bigger than Allah’s Mercy.
For Muslims, this period of the month represents a time of self-reflection, patience, and self-control. Ramadan allows one to practise self-reflection by seeking forgiveness. According to the Islamic faith, asking for repentance entails accepting responsibility for an act you feel apologetic about. Fasting teaches us to be patient as one refrains from eating or drinking from sunrise till sunset. The practice of keeping a fast allows us to be grateful for the food we get to eat daily because it reminds us of the less fortunate people, reinforcing us to be more thankful. Thus, empathy for the unfortunate ones encourages us to give Zakat (charity) or food to help them.
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. The rules of fasting during Ramadan are quite simple. Firstly, nothing should enter your body. One should refrain from bad habits as well as abstain from the consumption of drinks and all kinds of foods from dawn until sunset. Muslims usually have a meal before dawn also known as Sehri and break their fast after the sun sets. This is called Iftari. In Canada the fasts are more challenging as the hours of fasting are longer especially in Canada’s north, where the fasting day is as long as 19 hours.
With Ramadan comes increased spiritual worship as Muslims consciously try to practise living according to Islamic principles on a daily basis, with the focus on the hereafter instead of the materialism of the worldly life, which means embracing honesty, empathy, kindness, and modesty.
So, when I awoke to the literal feast the university had arranged for us with a vast variety of foods and drinks, it was a rather emotional moment. I, for one, felt valued and respected. Sehri did not feel so alone as it sometimes does now that I am far from my family, especially as Ramadan is when families sit down together during Sehri and Iftari. Moreover, it was so convenient thanks to St. Michael’s to have my Sehri on campus because I did not have to worry about getting groceries or going out at four in the morning for Sehri.
Another thing I would like to mention is how I noticed the new changes that were made weekly to improve the program. During the first week, we were provided with a huge variety of assorted fresh fruits, cereals, pastries, yogurts, and juices. The second week was followed by the addition of a toaster and a microwave. Honestly, it just got better week by week, which left the third week to consist of the addition of freshly pre-packed warm dishes. These small acts of kindness made me feel so grateful because it shows that the community wholeheartedly cares and is checking up on us every week by improving the food accommodations.
I can proudly say that University of St. Michael’s College is a home away from home. I felt the university made an effort to get to know us and our beliefs. I am thankful, as I am sure are the rest of U of T’s Muslim students, for this step the university has taken towards us. I can confidently say that U of T never fails to hit the mark when it comes to fulfilling the needs and requirements of its students who observe religious practices.
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