Ramadan has always been a time of reflection, discipline, and devotion for me.
Observing it while studying added something new to what the month means in my life – balancing lectures, deadlines, society commitments, and social life while fasting from dawn to sunset hasn’t always been easy, yet it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at university.
Spending three Ramadans at Cardiff Met has shaped my experience in ways I didn’t anticipate. Each year has looked different academically and personally, but one thing has remained constant – the importance of community, and feeling that your faith has a place on campus.
My first Ramadan at university was an adjustment. Waking up for suhoor in student accommodation felt strange at first – my alarm would go off before sunrise while the rest of the flat was asleep, and I’d quietly make something to eat in the kitchen, trying not to wake anyone.
A few hours later I’d be sitting in lectures, already well into the fast, knowing the day ahead would be long. At times it felt tough, especially when deadlines were approaching or group projects needed attention.
Not fasting alone
But what could have felt isolating quickly became a way to find others going through the same thing. The ISoc played a huge role in that.
Through it, I met fellow Muslim students who were juggling the same balance of coursework, deadlines, and fasting, and there was comfort in knowing that the people around you understood exactly what the day felt like.
One of the best parts of Ramadan at Cardiff Met has been iftar on campus. There’s something about watching an ordinary university room fill with shared purpose and celebration that’s hard to describe – students gather with containers of food, dates are passed around, and everyone waits together for Maghrib.
When the time finally comes to break the fast, the relief and gratitude in the room is something you can feel instantly.
Dates and deadlines
Those moments made a big difference. They turned campus into a space that felt welcoming rather than something you had to quietly adapt to during Ramadan.
Over the years, those iftar gatherings became something I really looked forward to. They weren’t just about the food – they were about sitting in a circle with people from different cultures and backgrounds, all connected through the same experience of fasting. Conversations would range from sharing childhood Ramadan memories to discussing lectures and deadlines, all while learning more about our faith together.
Volunteering during Ramadan also became an important part of my experience. Helping organise iftar events, supporting ISoc activities, and contributing to charity initiatives made the month feel richer. Ramadan emphasises compassion and service, and being able to practise that within the university community added something I hadn’t expected.
Making space
By my third Ramadan at Cardiff Met, things felt different again – I was no longer just adjusting to fasting at university but helping create the environment that had once supported me.
I’d come to understand the rhythm of balancing university life with spiritual commitments, to appreciate the quiet early mornings, the long afternoons of lectures, and the shared sense of relief when sunset finally arrived.
That kind of shift is worth saying plainly – when universities create space for students to practise their faith openly, it makes a real difference. Something as simple as a place to gather, pray, or break fast together can turn Ramadan from something students manage privately into something they experience as part of a wider community.
Looking back, the three Ramadans I spent at university have been about far more than fasting – they’ve been about belonging, meeting people who remind you of home, and building a community that carries you through both the hard bits and the celebrations. For that, I’ll always be thankful.
