Sude-Lara is a first-year student of the double Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Physics (Wiskunde en natuurkunde).

What does Ramadan mean to you?

For me, Ramadan is an opportunity to get closer to my religion and delve deeper into it. And also to get closer to my family. This is partly because dinner becomes important: you haven't eaten all day and then you can finally have dinner. In my family, we prefer to do it together and we are very close. Everyone tries to be home on time, we set the table together, prepare the food, eat together, clean up together and then all stay for a while afterwards. I notice that outside Ramadan there is a little less emphasis on that, but this month we keep it up.

By fasting you get closer to your religion: you become more aware of what you are doing, the good things as well as your sins. What you also see then is that many Muslims, me included, try to learn more things and perform extra prayers. People also read the Quran because it is mustahab (recommended) to read the Quran during the holy month. I have not been able to do the latter fully this month because I have been so busy. Besides, the Quran is a fairly thick book of about 600 pages, which, since Arabic is not my first language, I cannot read super fast.

Ramadan for me is also in the little things: being patient when you are hungry. Being kind to your neighbour. And giving money to the poor, or small children around you.

What did you learn about your religion?

I watched videos by an Islamic speaker and lecturer, for example. He had some short videos, for instance, in which he unravels certain Arabic words. That language is very elaborate, which makes it difficult to translate the Quran from Arabic into another language. He explains certain words, making them easier to understand. I could easily cram these videos into my day when I was on my way to something. I took a lot of notes, but don't ask me what the words were, ha ha!

What is it like to combine Ramadan with your studies?

I've had a bit of a rough time of it this year. I think partly because I am a first-year student and still need to get used to it a bit, but also because I am personally quite tired during fasting. This is obviously because I don't eat and drink, but also because you wake up early in the morning to eat and also perform prayers and other ibadah (worship) again. Moreover, Ramadan falls during the exam period this time around. I did start preparing on time, which allowed me to free up more time for Ramadan. It was tricky, but if you plan well, it works out.

There was an iftar meal at Science Park this month. What did you think about that evening?

I always like it when you can share your own religion and culture. The iftar was a bit more religion, and the food was more culture. There were also a lot of non-Muslims and I talked to many people. I noticed that there is a lot of focus on more diversity, and that students are involved in it.

How did you feel Ramadan was treated at the UvA?

Other than the iftar, I didn't notice much of it. On the one hand, that's a bit of a shame. It might have been nice to see something in the canteen, or that the canteen could have stayed open a bit longer. Or that something was put up in the contemplation room.

I use that room regularly and am happy to have a place to pray. I do regret that there is no place to do our ablutions, which can be a bit irritating at times. That you have to do it in the toilets, for example: not so nice to come in and see someone with their foot in a sink.

In addition, I sometimes miss a bit of togetherness. At the VU, there is more of that because there is more space in the masjid (a room where prayers can be said). Men and women are separated, and when there is time for prayer, one of the boys leads the prayer. Then you can pray in a group, which is always a bit more fun than on your own. Too bad we can't do this at the UvA, but it's not strictly necessary.

What do you not want to be misunderstood about Ramadan?

People often think that Ramadan is there to give us more empathy for those who have less to eat. That is true: what you get is more empathy for those people. And it is one of the goals, but it is not the main goal. Ramadan is mainly meant to improve you as a Muslim, and give you a moment in the year to take care of yourself a bit spiritually.

And that we are indeed not allowed to drink water.

We thank Sude-Lara for speaking with us!