During the start of Ramadan, the Chronicle talked to students about how they felt about the school’s accommodations for fasting and prayer. The Islamic holy month started Feb. 28 and will end on March 29 at the end of spring break.
Students told the Chronicle they had trouble accessing the dedicated prayer space in the Student Center because the door was locked. They also shared that they weren’t always comfortable talking to their instructors about breaking their fast in an evening class.
On top of that, the University Center neglected to inform diners that to-go meals were available for students who were fasting until six days after Ramadan started. This dorm houses Columbia and four other colleges, so this delay in information not only affected Columbia but also the Muslim students who attend the other colleges as well.
The University Center has offered prepared meals like this for the past six years, with only a break due to the pandemic. We applaud them for that but wish they had told students about the option this year before the start of Ramadan.
Overall, there is not enough communication to Muslim students on services and accommodations available on campus.
The Reflection Space, located on the fourth floor of the Student Center, provides a place for students to meditate and pray. This space is used during Ramadan by many Muslim students. It shouldn’t be locked.
It’s especially important while there is not a Muslim Student Association active on campus to speak up for students. That group disbanded this year after the leaders graduated last May.
More promotion and awareness for the Reflection Space and other resources is key to making Muslim students feel less isolated when they are away from their families and just overall included in the Columbia community.
One way that the college could show their support is to host a small Eid celebration on March 31, the second day of Eid and the Monday when students return from Spring Break.
The college’s leaders have affirmed their commitment to DEI in the wake of President Trump’s attacks on schools he and his administration considers “woke.”
We want to see it in action.
Copy edited by Patience Hurston
