By Imam Sharif Mohamed, Augsburg University Muslim Chaplain
• The first day of Ramadan is expected to begin on February 18
• Eid al-Fitr is anticipated to be celebrated on March 18Dear Augsburg University Leadership, Staff, and Students,
As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt wishes to all members of our Augsburg community.
Ramadan Mubarak.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims around the world as a sacred time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal. From dawn to sunset, many Muslim students, staff, and faculty abstain from food and drink while engaging more deeply in acts of worship, charity, self-discipline, and community service.
Beyond fasting, Ramadan is a time centered on values that resonate universally — compassion, generosity, patience, gratitude, and care for one another. It is a season that invites individuals to slow down, reflect on their purpose, repair relationships, and recommit to justice and human dignity.
Within a university setting like Augsburg — rooted in inclusion, neighbor-love, and the dignity of all people — Ramadan offers an opportunity not only for observance, but also for shared understanding and community support.
What Ramadan May Look Like on Campus
• Fasting from dawn until sunset (no food or drink during daylight hours)
• Increased prayer and spiritual practices
• Evening meals (Iftar) to break the fast at sunset
• Late-night prayers, which may affect sleep schedules
• Heightened focus on charity, service, and community care
While many continue their academic and professional responsibilities as usual, fasting can be physically and spiritually demanding — especially during longer days.
You may also notice lower energy levels among some students and staff, particularly in the late afternoon hours, as the body adjusts to fasting.
How We Can Support One Another
Small gestures of awareness and care go a long way. For example:
• Being mindful when scheduling food-centered meetings or events
• Offering flexibility, when possible, for prayer times, evening commitments, and workload responsibilities
• Creating welcoming spaces that foster belonging and respect
• Extending simple words of kindness such as “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed Ramadan)
• Supporting access to Suhur (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (sunset meal) options through campus dining or cafeteria flexibility when feasible
• Estimated Suhur and Iftar times may vary daily by approximately five to ten minutes
• Avoiding, when possible, scheduling major exams or required academic activities on the day of Eid
Support does not require perfection — only presence, empathy, and goodwill.
An Invitation to Shared Values
Ramadan also offers a moment for collective reflection across faiths and traditions.
It calls us to ask:
How do we care for the vulnerable?
How do we cultivate gratitude in difficult times?
How do we build a community rooted in mercy and justice?
These questions transcend religion — they speak to our shared humanity and to Augsburg’s mission of educating for service, leadership, and meaningful engagement in the world.
Closing Reflection
In the Islamic tradition, Ramadan is described not only as a month of fasting, but as a month of mercy — a time to heal hearts, restore hope, and strengthen the bonds of community.
It is my sincere prayer that this Ramadan brings peace to our campus, clarity to our purpose, and compassion to our interactions with one another.
May this month be a source of spiritual renewal for those who observe it, and a season of learning and connection for our entire Augsburg family.
Ramadan Mubarak to all who are observing.
With warm regards and prayers for peace,
