Ramadan – Muslim Campus Life

The 2nd Annual Ramadan Webinar: Helping Campuses Prepare for Ramadan

Muslim Campus Life Team — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:30:30 +0000

After the success of the inaugural Ramadan Webinar, the second annual Ramadan Webinar brought together over 100 college staff members from across the country for another insightful session on supporting Muslim students during the holy month of Ramadan.

Building on the foundation laid last year, the webinar featured returning speakers Joshua Salaam and Asma Malik. They offered a fresh perspective on Ramadan observances, the evolving needs of Muslim students, and practical strategies for fostering inclusion on college campuses across the country.

The success of the second Ramadan webinar initiative demonstrates a growing commitment to inclusivity in higher education. By equipping college staff with the knowledge and tools they need, we can ensure that campuses are welcoming and supportive environments for Muslim students observing Ramadan. The momentum is building, and we look forward to even more inclusive college experiences for Muslim students.

The webinar was attended by over 100 college staff from several universities including Columbia University, Stanford University, New York University, Elon University, Stony Brook University, Louisiana State University, Rutgers University, University of Vermont, University of Miami, and more.

Joining the Critical Talk Podcast: Muslim, College, & Student Life

Muslim Campus Life Team — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 04:37:38 +0000

On February 12th, Salman Khan, a member of the Muslim Campus Life team, joined Dr. Aminah Al Deen and Dr. Nisa Muhammad on the Critical Talk podcast for a conversation on Muslim student life. The conversation focused on the challenges and experiences of Muslim students on college campuses, Islamophobia on campus, and how the American Muslim community can improve the campus environment. The episode emphasized the significance of Muslim organizations and initiatives that promote engagement, advocacy, and a sense of belonging for Muslim students. Listen to the full episode here:

The Second Muslim Campus Life Summit: Connecting Muslim Higher Education Leaders

Muslim Campus Life Team — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 12:03:35 +0000

The Muslim Campus Life Summit (MCLS) project aims to bring together university professionals who serve and/or do research on Muslim students, as well as Muslim professionals in the higher education space in various roles. The goals of this convening are:

1) to engage diverse perspectives and frameworks (academic, chaplaincy, DEI, administrative, student affairs, etc.) on key issues and

2) to determine strategic collaborations, learning models, and future prospects for Muslim campus life in the US.

The second summit, MCLS 2024, was held at the Center for Muslim Life at Duke University in January 2024. In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks and the ensuing war on Gaza, various campuses were impacted by pro-Palestinian advocacy (and counter-advocacy), with increased activism and a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian / anti-Arab bias. Professionals who gathered at MCLS 2024 thus addressed various themes in this particular political and institutional context. The first summit was held at Stanford University and hosted by the Markaz Resource Center.

The 1st Annual Ramadan Webinar: Helping Campuses Prepare for Ramadan

Muslim Campus Life Team — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 12:05:43 +0000

This past February, a first-of-its-kind webinar brought together non-Muslim college staff from across the country to explore how to better support Muslim students during the holy month of Ramadan. The inaugural Ramadan webinar bridged the gap in understanding and equipped staff with practical ways to create a more inclusive campus environment for Ramadan.

The webinar featured presentations from Muslim Campus Life board members, Joshua Salaam and Asma Malik. Their presentation offered insights into the significance of Ramadan, fasting practices, and the unique challenges faced by Muslim students during this time. Attendees participated in Q&A sessions, gaining valuable knowledge about creating flexible scheduling for exams and assignments, offering inclusive prayer spaces, and ensuring readily available halal food options.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about Ramadan firsthand and brainstorm ways to better serve their Muslim student populations. The webinar fostered a sense of understanding and a commitment to building more inclusive college campuses for all. By creating a more informed and supportive environment, colleges can ensure that all students, regardless of faith, can thrive during Ramadan and throughout the academic year.

The webinar was attended by over 30 college staff from several universities including Barnard College, New York University, Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California (USC), University of California, Berkeley, and Syracuse University.