Trinity students reflect on Ramadan as holy month begins in Ireland
Students at Trinity College Dublin are describing holy month as far more than abstaining from food and water
DUBLIN (MNTV) — As Ramadan begins for Muslims across Ireland, students at Trinity College Dublin are describing the holy month as far more than abstaining from food and water — calling it a period of discipline, reflection, and renewed faith.
In a feature published by The University Times, four Muslim students shared how they are balancing fasting, prayer, and university life during Islam’s most sacred month.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, began on the evening of February 18 for an estimated two billion Muslims worldwide, including around 82,000 in Ireland.
The month commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad and concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, expected on March 20.
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan shifts 10 to 12 days earlier each year. In Ireland, fasting hours started at approximately 12 hours on the first day and will gradually extend to around 14 hours by the end of the month.
Beyond fasting
While fasting (sawm) is one of Islam’s five pillars, students told the magazine that Ramadan is equally about spiritual renewal and self-discipline.
Alina Akram, a psychology student, described Ramadan as “being the best version of yourself,” saying it strengthens patience and self-control. Having previously lived in Dubai, she noted differences between observing Ramadan in a Muslim-majority country and in Ireland, where institutional adjustments such as reduced school hours are not the norm.
Hamza Assaf, a microbiology student, said the month fosters empathy and community. He described fasting as a reminder of global inequality and said the experience becomes easier after the first week as the body adjusts.
For Minaal Mahmood, a law student, Ramadan represents a spiritual reset. She highlighted the importance of iftar — the evening meal to break the fast — as a time of gratitude and connection with friends and family.
Tabib Haque, treasurer of the Trinity Muslim Students Association, said Ramadan means stepping back from distractions and focusing on faith and self-improvement. He acknowledged the challenges of juggling academic deadlines with increased worship but said the sense of community among Muslim students makes the experience meaningful.
Wider context
The start of Ramadan this year also follows the recent reopening of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh, Dublin, after a nine-month closure due to governance concerns — a development welcomed by many in Ireland’s Muslim community ahead of the holy month.
As students navigate lectures, exams, and long fasting hours, their reflections underscore how Ramadan is being observed within the rhythms of Irish campus life — blending faith, discipline, and community in a distinctly local context.
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