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Reflections About Ramadan at Bennington

In honor of the celebration of Ramadan, Ahmed Shuwehdi ’25 and Muhammad Ammar ’24, co-leaders of the Muslim Student Association, asked Muslim students to respond to the prompt, "What has Ramadan felt like for you at home, and how does it feel at Bennington?” and answered the prompt themselves. The responses reveal longing, nostalgia, and an appreciation for the community at Bennington.

Back Home

Most of Bennington’s Muslim students are international students. Ramadan is a time filled with memories of being home with family and friends.

“The bustling streets are adorned with colorful lights and the aroma of traditional delicacies fill the air with a sense of shared spirituality and celebration,” described Shuwehdi, who is from Libya. “Ramadan is a deeply ingrained part of society with the entire community coming together in solidarity through fasting, prayers, and communal iftars.” 

"For me, Ramadan has the essence of a month-long festival, especially during iftar time back home when people gather to break their fast together,” said Sinha Binte Babul '25, from Bangladesh. 

Abdullah Al Muhaimen '27, also from Bangladesh, wrote, "It's all about family and those little traditions we've had for years. Think waking up to the sound of my mom's voice as she gets the pre-dawn meal ready, or the laughter and chatter around the table when we break our fast. There's this cozy, familiar vibe that I just love.”

Ramadan at Bennington 

Program & Activity Council, Muslim Student Association, International Student Services, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invited students from across campus join Muslim students in breaking their fast during an Iftaar cook-out event at the Student Center Kitchen. Students cooked dishes from their home countries.
Program & Activity Council, Muslim Student Association, International Student Services, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invited students from across campus join Muslim students in breaking their fast during an Iftar cook-out event at the Student Center Kitchen. Students cooked dishes from their home countries.


“At Bennington, while the circumstances are different, I still appreciate how the Muslim students come together to have iftar as often as possible,” said Babul. “This practice holds significant resonance and brings back cherished memories from home, a sentiment I believe is shared by many Muslim students." 

Shuwehdi agrees. “The absence of the familiar sights and sounds of Ramadan initially created a feeling of disconnection from my cultural and religious roots, but being part of a diverse college community has helped me a lot. While I may be away from my family and the familiar traditions of home, the shared experiences of fasting and breaking fast with friends from various cultural backgrounds have fostered a sense of camaraderie and understanding.” 

Muhaimen has been cooking some iftar and suhur dishes on his own, including following recipes from home and improvising when he can't find the right ingredients. “At Bennington, it's more about finding my own way. I miss the chaos of home, but there's something cool about sharing what Ramadan means to me with my friends here.” 

Challenges

“Juggling iftar and suhur with my class and work schedule, not to mention keeping up with my prayers, is a balancing act,” said Muhaimen. Students note the challenges of having low energy and experiencing hunger and thirst. It is a challenge they accept gratefully. 

“Each day of fasting serves as a reminder of the blessings bestowed upon me and the opportunity to strive for personal growth and righteousness,” said Shuwehdi. 

Many Muslim students and others are fasting with even more care and greater meaning this year, as they think of those who are facing the worst levels of hunger ever recorded on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scale. 

“What keeps me going the whole day is the thought of the delicious food I will eat at sunset. For so many across the world, such certainty does not exist. People in Gaza don't have anything but grass and polluted water to break their fasts,” said Muhammad Ammar ’24 from Pakistan. “I am reminded of our responsibility to stand for justice and call upon our governments to do so as well."

A New Kind of Family

Students take comfort in their friends at Bennington, including those of all faiths and no faith. “They're curious, respectful, and we've sort of created this new kind of family,” said Muhaimen. 

Thanks to organization from the Muslim Student Association, Muslim students and others can be found celebrating iftar at sunset in the Commons Atrium. Shuwehdi said, “Through conversations over iftar meals and events, I have found comfort in the unity that transcends cultural boundaries. I don’t feel that the day is completed until I break my fast with the Muslim community. The essence of Ramadan remains constant: a time of spiritual rejuvenation, self-reflection, and community bonding.” 

“The first date I eat at sunset reminds me how much I missed eating food; the first drink of water makes me truly appreciate having access to clean drinking water,” said Ammar.