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sonz
09-25-2006, 09:55 AM
LONDON — Everything about the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which began has a unique meaning for British Muslims, living under fear and constant distress since last year's 7/7 bombing attacks.

Though iftar banquets are a typical Ramadan feature in almost any place of the world where Muslims live, including Britain itself, they hold an additional, special importance for Muslim students in British universities.

"It is a chance to meet new Muslim sisters especially those who are new to Cambridge," Amira, a medical student at Cambridge University and one of the first volunteers to provide Ramadan meals for fellow female Muslim students, told IslamOnline.net.

Every year, Muslim students at Cambridge University, like colleagues in other universities, take turns in providing meals for other students.

"The Muslim community in Britain is so diverse and this includes the students who come from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds," she noted.

"We share recipes and get acquainted with the traditions of each other’s country of origin. After iftar we all pray together and do things like discussions or question and answer sessions afterwards."

Amira sses the Islamic Society Mailing List to get the invitation out to all the female students in the university.

Based on how many replies she gets, she decided on how much food would need to be prepared.

Most student societies in UK universities keep in touch through a mailing list which keeps them updated about the various events and activities taking place on their campus.

The Islamic Cultural Centre in London has declared Saturday, September 23, as the start of Ramadan based on moon sightings in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The Ruiyate Hilal committee representing mosques in Balham, Croydon, Norbury, Streatham and Tooting, and also ulama councils in other cities including Birmingham and Manchester, have announced Sunday, September 24, as the first day of fasting.

During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex.

Britain is home to an estimated 1.8 million Muslims, most of them are of Pakistani and Indian origin.

New Friends

Ramadan programs are a golden chance for many to make new friends.

Islamic student societies, established to provide an attractive Islamic environment in which Muslims can practice Islam, improve the understanding of Islam and promote brotherhood and unity of all Muslims on campus, organize special Ramadan programs.

"All year around the society organize talks, circles for both men and women and educational and fun activities for kids," said Mahmoud Hamid from Manchester University Islamic Society.

"But as Ramadan approaches, the focus of those talks changes to reflect the occasion."

The society which runs two on campus mosques anticipates about 700 people daily to come for iftar, which normally consists of a curry dish, salad and a drink or a piece of fruit for each person.

"We essentially rely on donations collected throughout the year," said Mahmoud.

Such initiatives fosters the links of brotherhood and sisterhood amongst Muslim students, especially as they celebrate the holy month away from their families which usually either live in different UK cities or even overseas.

"I really enjoy going to the mosque for iftar and prayers especially when I am feeling," Mayyada, a student originally from Egypt and specializing in engineering, told IOL.

"Meeting other fellow Muslims really help to overcome my feeling of homesickness," she said, spending her fourth Ramadan away from her family.

"It is a good place to get to know people from your university," agreed Ahmed, another student who comes from Bradford.

"I have made many new friends during iftar.

"We are very grateful for the amazing work the Islamic society does in Ramadan, since otherwise we would be just eating takeaways in our rooms or have to go out to expensive restaurants to eat."

Get-togethers

With volunteering activities flourishing during this blessed month, other volunteers chose to organize religious study circle and discussions.

Samira, 24, a university student of Pakistani origin has volunteered to organize weekly circles in her house for fellow female students and chose a time whereby attendants break fast together.

"Sometimes the prayer room can get a little small when there’s too many sisters and plus there are also many sisters who cannot make it there," she said of the reason for organizing the religious study circle in her home.

"During Ramadan there are probably many circles and get-togethers taking place which will be very refreshing for all sisters."

Samira believes this will "foster unity amongst us especially during this blessed month."

Many started the circles weeks ahead of Ramadan to prepare themselves for the holy month.

A circle held last Wednesday dealt with, inter alia, how students can juggle their worship while being busy with their academic work.

"I was looking forward to this month", said Eman, 22, who attended the circle.

She had started preparing for Ramadan a few weeks ago by trying to be closer to Allah through extra prayers, reading the Noble Qur'an and donating money to the local mosque to help cover the costs community iftars.

http://www.islamonline.net/English/N...09/24/06.shtml
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