April 5, 2022 - Ramadan
Dear NHCC colleagues,
As many of you may already know, on Saturday, April 2, the most sacred month of the year in Islamic culture, Ramadan, began. In this holy month, Muslim’s don ́t eat or drink from dawn to sunset; it is a time for introspection and prayer. The purpose of fasting is to develop God-consciousness, self- control, and health improvement by eliminating impurities from their body and to become aware of the trouble of the poor, sick, and hungry.
When and what is Ramadan?
Ramadan starts at sundown on Saturday, April 2, and ends with Eid al-Fitr on Monday, May 2. and is subject to the sighting of the new moon that marks the start of the ninth month in the Islamic Calendar. Ramadan is a time when observant Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and seek to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.
Fasting is one of the most important practices when observing Ramadan. Each day during Ramadan, the fast begins just before dawn and ends at sunset. During that period, neither food nor drink is consumed. The time when the fasting ends is known as “Iftar.” If a Muslim student or employee is observing Ramadan, this could affect all aspects of their schedules.
In Solidarity
Many members of our NHCC community, both students and employees, will be observing Ramadan during the next 30 days, Eid ul Fitr, the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. Please be keep this in mind when interacting with your colleagues and students; being flexible and understanding would be greatly appreciated. There are many great resources available on how to support our internal community and our community at large (thank you, Dean Jayant Anand, for sharing):
- NHCC DEI webpage
- Islamic Resource Group (IRG) website
- 10 things non-Muslims should know during Ramadan
- A non-Muslim's guide to Ramadan
As we strive to build inclusive and welcoming learning and work environments at North Hennepin Community College, it is important to acknowledge and be respectful of the diverse religious observances of our community members.
Warmest Regards,
Julio