Malden High School is known for its wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Ramadan is not the only thing being celebrated this February; Lunar New Year and Black History Month are also prominent within the month. This variety of different religious and cultural celebrations brings a sense of diversity and community, making the school feel like a miniature version of the whole world within the hallways.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a sacred period of fasting, prayer, and commemoration of the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Ramadan is a way of self-discipline and empathy in which Muslims avoid food and drink from dawn to sunset, focusing instead on charity, communal devotion, and purifying their soul to be closer to God.
This year, Ramadan began on February 17th. The holiday is based on the phases of the moon and differs year-to-year. Once the moon is observed, the month of Ramadan officially commences. Muslims introduce Ramadan by gathering at the Mosque for special long-form night prayers called Taraweeh. For the next 29-30 days, Muslims abstain from foods and drinks from dawn to sunset.
“It only affected my energy, like feeling thirsty or hungry and making me feel sleepy, but other than that, there is really no change,” said junior Imane Agoumad, who emphasized how the impact is felt by many Muslim students in the school.
Beyond the physical challenge of fasting mentioned, president of the Muslim Student Association, senior Yasser Belatrache noted that the month brings a deep sense of peace and reconnection with faith.
“Fasting is a challenge, but it’s worth it for the connection that you get. It makes you feel closer to God and closer to the people around you,” sophomore Ilias Azzelzouli proclaimed. Azzelzouli appreciates the value of fasting during Ramadan as well as being a part of the Muslim community. Azzelzouli mentioned that he likes to pray at the Mosque accompanied by his cousin. “Our local mosque is very welcoming. It really shows how the community comes together.”
When it comes to school support during Ramadan, the feedback is mostly positive.“My teachers do a wonderful job of understanding the adjustments I need to be making during Ramadan. They have been doing a good job of understanding and communicating well,” junior Iyad Doukkali concluded.
Since the removal of the prayer room, the school has been providing as much support as possible to students participating in Ramadan. “I feel like the removal of the prayer room was unnecessary, but they had to do it for a reason. Overall, the school has done a good job with everything.” This has been shown throughout many examples, such as every house office being available to be used for prayer, or students having the need to take a break during class.
“Whenever I want to go pray, I go to the Boyle house during lunch, and they are nice enough to let me pray there. I really appreciate how much the school helps,” junior Imane Augomad said.
Her experience reflects on how staff members have been understanding and supportive of their students, even without a prayer room. Many students share similar experiences, noting that teachers and administrators have made an effort to be respectful and flexible during this time of the month.
Even though the removal of the prayer room created some concerns for students going into Ramadan this year, the school’s response has shown a willingness to help and meet students’ needs in other ways. This type of support not only helps students but also shows that Malden High is a safe space, and that there is a sense of respect within the school community.
One of the other important parts of Ramadan that many people do not notice during the school day is how students begin and end their fasting. Before sunrise, Muslims wake up for a meal called suhoor, which helps them prepare for the day ahead. “I usually wake up earlier than others so I can eat for suhoor, and I also pray in the morning. So because of this, my schedule changes,” said Doukkali.
After sunset, they break their fast with iftar. The typical way to break iftar for Muslims is dates and water, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad. These moments are often shared with friends and family, making Ramadan not only an experience of the spirit but also a time of connection.
Ramadan also provides an opportunity for non-Muslim students and staff to learn more about Islam and their traditions. It can be as little as conversations, school discussions, or even as big as fasting for a few days to get a sense of how it feels. This increased awareness helps build that respect, which reflects the diverse environment Malden High School is known for.
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