Ramadan Mubarak 2025!

In Ramadan, observant Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for others. Focusing on devotion, many Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. The month of Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, which is a celebratory holiday. Eid 2025 will most likely occur the evening of March 29, 30, or 31 depending on the sighting of the moon.

PRAYER SPACES:

For Muslim students, there is a dedicated prayer space in Watzek library on the CAS campus, open to all.

Watzek hours can be found here: https://library.lclark.edu/hours-calendar. Please note: during Spring Break, Watzek hours will be reduced.

The MSA also has dedicated space for prayer or meeting in lower Flanagan, Rm. 113 that will be open 24 hours during Ramadan. Students are also welcome to use the Prayer and Meditation Room.

FASTING AND EATING:

For the Lewis & Clark community, please be mindful of those who are fasting. To go boxes at banquets and other functions with food are often helpful for observers who will break their fast at sundown, which occurs starting at 5:57pm on February 28 and will extend to 7:36pm or so at the end of March.

Enjoy your iftar in the Bon (open until 8pm) or the Trail Room (open until 10pm Tues- Sat.) The Market is also open until 8pm. Please contact the Bon Appetit Assistant General Manager Jen Miller for signing up for your suhoor meal. There is a QR code that needs to be scanned to be able to place your order. Orders must be placed by 2pm daily and pick up can occur in the Fields Dining Room between 5-8pm from the cashier.

Need a minifridge during Ramadan to keep your perishable food safe and secure? A limited supply of fridges may be available through Campus Living (living@lclark.edu). A fridge is also available in Rm. 113, lower Flanagan. Please mark your food in this shared fridge.

Should you have special requests or dietary needs, please reach out to Bon Appetit General Manager Talish Barrow (talish@lclark.edu) or Assistant General Manager Jen Miller (jenmiller@lclark.edu) for support.

Please introduce yourself to Talish and Jen, they are here to help!

Meal swipes are not active during spring break.

Please reach out to the Muslim Student Association, msa@lclark.edu for more information about student planned events.

The foyer of the Spiritual Life Office will be available for breaking fast and for congregating, which is right next to the Meditation and Prayer Room. A mini-fridge, microwave, and water are available. Those observing Ramadan are welcome to invite a friend and break the fast together.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Students who are fasting may wish to speak with their faculty or coaches if fasting impacts their ability to perform mentally or physically.

Please reach out to faculty early to request an absence for Eid.

If you are a student employee, you are also legally entitled to honor your religious observances with no penalty, so please speak to your manager about approved absences like Eid, or if you need a longer break because you need to enjoy your iftar. Human Resources can be helpful here if you have any questions.

If one needs additional assistance with a religious observance accommodation, please contact Hilary Martin Himan, Director of Spiritual Life and Chaplain (hmhiman@lclark.edu).

Have more ideas of making Lewis & Clark more friendly to those observing Ramadan? Want to learn more about this holy month? Please reach out to Spiritual Life: spirituallife@lclark.edu.