Global Connections hosted an online event on Monday discussing Ramadan's spiritual elements and practices on the first day of the holy month.
Ramadan is a religious holiday that lasts from 29 to 30 days and is considered to be the holiest month of the year for Muslims, according to a webpage by the Islamic Networks Group.
Global Connections are weekly events aimed to connect students from different places to explore cultural topics, according to the San José State website.
Ramadan begins with the sighting of a crescent moon over Mecca during the ninth month of the lunar calendar, according to an Associated Press article.
“I will invite everybody to share their knowledge because as I said, ‘I’m by no means an expert on this,’ ” said Saima Bhatti, a post-doctoral resident at SJSU Student Wellness Center.
Bhatti said she was born and raised in Pakistan, but lived in Kuwait for some time, exposing her to contrasting cultures and to different experiences during Ramadan..
She said there are two denominations of Muslims, the Sunni and Shia, two Islamic sectors that have slightly different beliefs and practices.
“Sunni’s following Prophet Muhammad consider him as the prophet,” Bhatti said. “Whereas the Shiites have more significance for Ali, who was son in law of Prophet Muhammad.”
Fasting is a part of the Five Pillars of Islam, or the five key practices that Muslims should fulfill within their lifetime, according to a webpage for Islamic Relief Worldwide.
The Five Pillars of Islam include Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat Al-Fitr (act of giving), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage), according to the same website.
Bhatti said before the fasting, people will have Suhur (Suhoor), a meal or snack people eat before the fajr, the morning prayer.
Fasting is mandatory for adult men and women along with children above the age of nine, according to Bhatti.
Bhatti said exemption from fasting is acceptable for those who are sick, have health issues, are pregnant, lactating or menstruating.
“They [people who are exempt from fasting] could actually help someone give more in charity or take food to the fasting people who are in need,” Bhatti said.
Bhatti said along with not eating or drinking other prohibited activities are smoking, substance use, extensive media consumption, gossip and sexual activities.
Marwa Abbas, a manager for SJSU’s International Gateways, said the first couple of days of Ramadan are the hardest.
“I’m so addicted to my coffee in the morning, it can be very difficult,” Abbas said. “But I think as time goes [on] it gets better.”
Bhatti said fasting is not only a cleansing process for both the body and spirit, but also a way to relate to the experience of people who do not have access to food or water.
She also said reading the Quran more often during Ramadan, praying five times a day and donating to charity at the end of the month all make up the religious aspect of Ramadan and Zakat al-Fitrah, according to Bhatti.
Zakat al-Fitrah is a charitable donation to participate in Eid al-Fitr, according to Islamic Relief.
Eid al-Fitr commemorates the end of Ramadan where there is a community-wide prayer in the morning followed by meals with friends and family, according to Brandeis University.
“Fajr, which is the morning prayer, Dour [is] the early afternoon prayer, Asr [is] the late afternoon prayer,” Bhatti said. “Maghrib [is] at sunset and Isha is the night prayer.”
Individuals will break their fast with a meal referred to as Iftar (Eftari or Iftor) following the Maghrib prayer, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
People can also participate in Taraweeh prayer, a voluntary prayer performed after the Isha, according to Islamic Relief Canada.
Bhatti said the last 10 days of Ramadan are significant as the Quran was completed during those days.
She said during these 10 days, known as the Laylat-ul-Qadr, individuals will pray on every odd night (March 21, March 23, March 25, March 27 and March 29).
“If you see Muslim students or Muslim faculty [during] those last 10 days, if they feel a little tired or more worn down,” Bhatti said. “That’s the reason they’ve been up late.”
Bhatti said some cultural considerations people should keep in mind are not to offer individuals participating in Ramadan food or water, and do not eat or drink in front of them during periods of fasting.
Keri Toma, SJSU’s international programs manager and communication specialist, said the MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center will have a resource page for Ramadan.
Students will be able to access Iftars available to them, prayer rooms, extended hours for Spartan Eats and Halal Shack according to Toma.
She said there will also be meals available for purchase for Suhur.
“Other students would show up and eat with them,” Abbas said, “I thought it was pretty cool, they’re kind of saying ‘you’re not by yourself, we’re going to come support and eat with you.’ ”
