Information Sheet for the Columbia University Community
Background
Ramadan is a spiritual month for Muslims that is marked by special observations such as fasting and nightly prayer.
This year in the New York area, many Muslims will begin observing Ramadan from sunset on Friday, April 1st and end observing the month at sunset on Sunday, May 1st. Observation of the start and end dates may vary by one day depending on different locations and on different schools of thought within the Islamic tradition. Ramadan is on a lunar calendar and moves up 11 days annually.
Many practicing Muslims observe fasting and additional nightly Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan. Many Muslims also commemorate certain special nights in this month. Fasting is typically observed by abstaining from food and water from dawn to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan. Taraweeh prayers last for about an hour every night during Ramadan and are generally considered to be highly recommended rather than mandatory.
For Administration and Faculty
For Students
Programming
Muslim Life at Columbia is offering iftar dinners on the first weekend of the month and every Monday and Thursday of April in the Earl Hall Auditorium (117th Street and Broadway). Students are also welcome to join the nightly taraweeh prayers in the same location. There will be an Eid al-Fitr prayer and celebration on campus on the morning of Monday, May 2nd.
Dining
Students who are on the Columbia meal plan can pick up to-go meals for suhoor (predawn meal) from Hewitt Hall in Barnard, and Diana’s Café. Iftar meals can be eaten at the dining halls or taken to-go. Students without a meal plan can pay for a meal through dining dollars or by credit cards.