Before the sun rises, sophomore Mohamud Mohamud is already awake, preparing for another day of fasting. He eats a quick Suhoor, which typically consists of a bowl of cereal and some dates, before heading to school, where he powers through classes and assignments.
But the real challenge comes later when he faces sports.
Training without food or water is exhausting, but Mohamud embraces the struggle and pushes through each practice with the belief that his sacrifice is for the greater good during the month of Ramadan.
“Ramadan is a blessing to me,” Mohamud said. “It’s something Allah gave to us where we can get more good deeds and
cleanse our body. I’m happy for it.”
Students like Mohamud who partake in Ramadan believe they learn discipline while strengthening their faith. For these students, the holy month of Ramadan, which starts March 1st and ends March 29nd is a significant time of reflection and devotion.
The start of Ramadan is a time of anticipation and preparation for Muslim families. In the days leading up to the holy month, households stock up on essential foods, ensuring they have everything needed for Suhoor and Iftar, the meals to start and break the fast at sunset.
Junior Shakyra Maureedullah and her family prepare by buying halal food for the holy month.
“We go out and buy more halal food, pray together and make dua (vocal prayer) together,” Maureedullah said.
As families welcome this month, some say they feel like it’s a surreal experience as they spot the thin crescent moon on the first night. As the day passes and the moon grows, so does their spiritual connection through fasting, prayer and shared meals.
“I feel like it’s a surreal experience,” Maureedullah said. “The moon is really thin when you notice it on the first night, and then throughout the days of the month it gets bigger in size.”
Like Mohamud and Maureedullah, other students at SHS and throughout the world live a similar routine during the month of Ramadan.
The transition from three meals a day to fasting is not just a physical adjustment, but a mental one as well. Students can feel fatigued and experience a harder time concentrating in the absence of food and water.
“I try not to think about it, and I also try to eat as much as I can in the morning without stuffing myself,” Maureedullah said.
As the students’ bodies and minds learn to adapt, they find new ways to conserve their energy. Relying on spiritual motivation, such as praying to God and reading the Quran, keeps them pushing and is a constant reminder of the blessings they have.
Over time, what once felt like a difficult change becomes second nature, reinforcing both resilience and discipline.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m tired,” Mohamud said. “Later on in Ramadan, it gets easier, and it’s just like I can go through my normal day.”
Beyond fasting, Ramadan is a month filled with worship, community and acts of kindness.
During this sacred time, Muslims increase their prayers, including attending Taraweeh, a special nightly prayer held at mosques. To Mohamud, this presents many benefits.
“It does improve my faith,” Mohamud said. “It improves me by becoming a better Muslim, to go to Taraweeh, to make duas, to always (recite) tasbeeh, just always trying to get more good deeds during this month.”
Many also engage in reading the Quran, aiming to complete it by the end of the month, and participating in charity, such as Zakat and Sadaqah, by giving back to those in need.
Community gatherings, whether for iftar or prayer, create a strong sense of unity, reinforcing the idea that Ramadan is not just an individual journey but a collective experience.
These practices hold deep significance, serving as a way to purify the soul, strengthen faith and deepen one’s connection to God.
Despite challenges and temptations during this holy month, students try to stay patient by controlling their emotions and avoiding distractions.
“I would say staying level-minded (is difficult) because I’m easily irritated and the smallest things get on my nerves,” Maureedullah said. “I have to stay calm throughout this whole fasting thing.”
Aside from encouraging patience, the month of Ramadan also encourages gratefulness.
Mohamud says that through fasting, he becomes more aware of his blessings.
He experiences hunger and thirst, which deepens his appreciation for the food and water he takes for granted.
The month also encourages him to reflect on the struggles of the less fortunate, helping him adopt a sense of humility and compassion.
“We (have) to be grateful for what we have, because not a lot of people have that,” Mohamud said. “It’s a blessing to
have food, three meals a day and have the ability to sleep under a roof and be grateful for what we have and say glory to God.”
During Ramadan, teachers with students who celebrate Ramadan in their classrooms try to make accommodations to show support.
EL teacher Kelly Harmon lets students stay in her room during lunch. She also tries to be understanding that students are tired and reduces the amount of physical activity in her class.
“I let them stay in my classroom instead of having to go to lunch,” Harmon said. “I just try to be more understanding if they’re needing to take a little sleep here or there in class, or not making them move around a whole bunch, or just being understanding with deadlines on assignments too and things like that.”
As Ramadan ends, students can feel a sense of accomplishment and spiritual growth. Despite the challenges, their faith has strengthened, and they look forward to celebrating Eid with gratitude and renewed energy.
“I’m always reminded that what we have could be taken with a blink of an eye,” Maureedullah said. “No one is better than the next, so we should always appreciate what we have.”
