Features

Ramadan at Green Hope: Faith in the classroom and beyond

Serena Saliba, Staff Writer

March 26, 2026

Eating together after fasting, sharing food, and Bonding. Permission from Febrian Zakaria via Unsplash.

Ramadan occurs in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is a time when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk to serve their God and practice self-discipline while growing spiritually. The holiday lasts 29-30 days, depending on the lunar calendar. Ramadan brings friends and family together, providing time to bond during these special days. Most people think fasting is limited to not eating, but in this case, it prohibits eating or drinking during daylight hours.

The Qur’an has a much deeper connection to Ramadan. In the Qur’an, the religious book of (religion(s) names), three quotes relate to Ramadan. A quote from the American Halal Foundation states, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari). This is very meaningful to many as it explains that during this time, they want to encourage people to increase acts of obedience. Some of these are praying often and doing good deeds in general. Through the teachings in the Qur’an, Muslims are encouraged to grow closer to God by strengthening their actions and beliefs.

The GH Falcon recently sat down with Ms. Haya Khan, a math teacher at Green Hope, to discuss her experiences with Ramadan. She explained how Ramadan is a time to build community and strengthen bonds with others, sharing, “It was a good time to spiritually connect with my religion and spend time with my family and friends”. She noted that fasting during the school hours was much easier because she started distracted, but once she returned home, it became harder because there was nothing entertaining her.

During Ramadan, people focus on prayer, fasting, and becoming closer to God. It encourages self-discipline, as Muslims fast from food and drinks from dawn to dusk. In addition, they focus on reflection, kindness, and helping others through good deeds. Many families come together to break fast at sunset, creating a strong sense of community. Mosques often have special prayers to bring people closer. Overall, Ramadan is a time to grow and strengthen faith spiritually.

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About the Contributor

Serena Saliba, Staff Writer

Dedicated friend, peer, sister and daughter, Serena Saliba is a freshman who entered her first year with the GH Falcon staff with excitement and passion. She is committed to her learning and values academic integrity and personal growth. She always looks for the positive, adapts when plans change and takes risks to challenge herself. Outside of school, she is often found playing tennis, cuddling with her dog or volunteering at local businesses and schools. Serena sees things in a different light than most, finding joy in writing about events from a new perspective. Her passion for journaling came at an early age, after she wrote her first news article in third grade. Describing herself as “caring, driven and curious,” Serena reflects these qualities within her work and daily life. As she continues to grow, she hopes to bring a positive, lasting impact on the Falcon community.