Andrea Agola

Ramadan @ Dartmouth: A Student's POV

As the holy month of Ramadan was ending last week, I interviewed my friend Yasmine Kanaan '26 about her experience practicing at Dartmouth, away from home for the first time.  On Thursday April 20th, she invited me to a Chand Raat event (a South Asian celebration on the night before Eid Al-Fitr). We were able to talk over samosas as we had our mehndi/henna done! The event was organized by Al-Nur, Dartmouth's Muslim Student Association. They organize various activities around campus like the Ramadan Opening Ceremony which all were welcome to and featured the call to prayer (adhan), Qur'anic recitation, student speeches + testimonials, and dinner + gift boxes! 

What were you most looking for in your Ramadan experience at Dartmouth? 

Yasmine: "I was afraid there wasn't going to be a community. But there's such a great one. You're still a student but I definitely felt that the college acknowledged us. There was a dinner held at the dean's house. There was actually a sponsored dinner every night by either the Interfaith Center, different house communities or other groups."

Were there other ways you felt like Dartmouth acknowledged Muslim students?

Yasmine: "Oh yes! We had the Ramadan Foco late night swipe: For whatever you get, DDS (Dartmouth Dining Services) covers the cost if it's over the $5.25 swipe. There was also always 24/7 food access at the Interfaith center and DDS also provides pre-packaged halal meals."

Just from my  time at this event, I've felt some of the community you've spoken about. One of the girls just came around asking if others want to go pray together tomorrow morning. Does this happen often?

Yasmine: "Yeah, it's so nice! Within my first few days here in the fall, one of the girls basically took me under her wing and told me that if I need anything at all, she's always here for me. That was so sweet of her and it immediately made me feel more comfortable."

At the Chand Raat, I asked an Al-Nur board member about her experience:

Amina Zoklat '23: "It's really nice to have a community, especially a women's community. Ramadan is very community based where you'd usually be with all of your family. So it's nice to still do henna the night before Eid. After the morning Eid prayer there will be brunch and a gala over the weekend."

I snapped a pic in front of the Tucker welcome table as my henna was drying.

At the Chand Raat, there were some students who volunteered as henna artists and there was also the option for people to do their own henna using any of the beautiful stencils provided. A Guarini Graduate School Student did my henna. I'm so happy that Yasmine invited me to the event. It was great to learn more about the Muslim student experience here at Dartmouth. The festivities have not ended yet; for the upcoming Saturday, Al-Nur has organized a trip to Six Flags to continue celebrating the Eid celebration!