MY EXPERIENCE SPENDING RAMADAN IN SCHOOL; INTERVIEWING UCH MUSLIM STUDENTS

 

The holy month of Ramadan is known all over the world for bringing communities together amongst its other benefits. It is a time when Muslims gather to eat together hence fostering unity. UCH central mosque is not left out as during the last Ramadan, iftar was distributed at the mosque every day throughout the month.

Al-Ilaaj Editorial Board interviewed some Muslim students in UCH to inquire about their experience:

1. ARILESERE ABDULBASIT (500 Level, Medicine & Surgery)

What was your experience spending Ramadan in school? 

It was an interesting experience. Combining school with the fast was a good way to be busy. Most times, I do not feel hunger or thirst till the time of Iftar. However, it affected the amount of Ibadah I could have performed if the school had been on break.

Did you take iftar at the mosque? 

Yes

How was your experience? 

The Iftar was superb. 

What do you think can be improved upon? Maybe the quantity of the food.

2. YAQUB IBRAHIM (600 Level, Medicine & Surgery)

What was your experience spending Ramadan in school? 

Well, this last Ramadan was not my first Ramadan in school, so I was mentally prepared for it. It was a nice experience, eating sahuur and iftaar with brothers was lovely, then the iftaars hosted by consultants were very pleasant and enjoyable. The challenging part of Ramadan in school to be honest is not having enough time to read (not like I used to have enough time to read outside Ramadan), the stress in school while fasting was bearable for me (as if I had a choice though). We were to write MB 3, in Ramadan assuming everything went well, well we did not, and Alhamdulilah, it was a blessing for me, lol. During the day I cannot read effectively because of hypoglycaemia, during the night I would mostly be tired, from the little ibaadats (most especially the taraweeh, which was maa shaa Allah, I must say we had the privilege to enjoy beautiful Qur’an recitations and qunut from different imams).

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, hopefully, if everything goes well, this should be my last Ramadan in school, and I would be happy for the memories made.

Did you take iftaar at the mosque?

 Yes, I did, most times.

How was your experience? 

Most of the meals were sumptuous, and members of the Ramadan planning committee did awesomely great, may Allah reward everyone.

What do you think can be improved upon? 

The committee was limited to the resources they had, may Allah reward all the sponsors and donors, well I feel more robust fundraising could be adopted so we could be served chicken to every meal lol.

3. OPABODE ABDULMUJEEB (400 Level, Medicine & Surgery)

What was your experience like spending Ramadan in school? 

My experience was better than I expected.

Did you take iftaar at the mosque? 

Yes, I did take my first iftar at the mosque.

How was your experience? 

The iftar was of good quality, and students were given preference.

What do you think can be improved upon? 

No suggestions from me. I think the committee did her best.

4. LATEEF BISOLA MARIAM (500 Level Medicine & Surgery)

What was your experience like spending Ramadan in school?  

Ramadan in school was nicer than I thought it would be. I think that was my first time fasting the whole Ramadan in school. It was not like fasting at home. Also, I was in Obstetrics & Gynaecology posting which is on the 3rd and 4th floors of UCH. With the issue of inadequate light at the time, I had no option than to climb the stairs (no light for the elevator) I was also on the Ramadan planning committee and I was the market head, so I had to be present on almost all the market days. By Allah! It wasn’t easy, I had to miss some school days.

Did you take iftar at the mosque? 

Yes, I did. Sometimes.

How was your experience? 

Considering the fact that I was in the Ramadan planning, it was nice. Apart from going to the market, joined in the cooking a few times and I was glad that our food turned out nice most of the time.

Are there any ways we can improve? 

Definitely! But everything comes down to money. We need to devise more ways to raise funds, this would help greatly. We should also continue and intensify the fundraising for getting a new bus. The MSSN UCH Bus, popularly called “Alake” actually needs a sibling or a replacement, it is going to make work faster and easier. 

5. ALARAPE ZAYNAB (500 Level, Dentistry)

What was your experience like spending Ramadan in school? 

Being able to do more Ibadah in the morning because the cafeteria was open to getting food instead of cooking at that time was a plus, but going to school while fasting especially during the first 10 days was strenuous, I ended up dozing in clinics around noon. In general, it was okay, alhamdulillah, asides from the acts of worship, I did some volunteering work and the experience made it different and nice. I hope next year’s Ramadan is better and I pray Allah spares our lives beyond that.

Did you take iftar at the mosque? 

Yes, I took iftar at the mosque.

How was your experience? 

It was okay, alhamdulillah.

Are there any ways we can improve? 

Some days the foods served were amazing but sometimes it was just there. I think they can be an improvement on the quality of some foods specifically the rice dishes, the quantity however was generous.

6. Soliat Ajibola Badmos (300 Level, School Of Nursing)

What was your experience like spending Ramadan in school? 

It was unusual and stressful being my first Ramadan on posting, we have to get to the ward as early as 7 am so we were deprived of sleep. Secondly, we were more advantaged if, on morning duty, we can come back early and rest, but for afternoon duty, one won't be released until 7:30 or 8 pm.

Did you take iftar at the mosque? Yes, I did

How was your experience? 

This last Ramadan was my second Ramadan in school. During my first Ramadan in 2020, there were fewer mouths to feed, as many students were at home due to the lockdown. Also, to reduce the crowd in order to prevent the spread of covid 19, a cooler was allotted for us to get our food, each school had their coolers for the remaining students in school so, food was available for everyone. This method was also suitable this year because many of us were on posting and not released early, we were all privileged to get food in our school.

Are there any ways we can improve? 

One challenge we had was, that there was a misunderstanding concerning the use of coolers as the initial method was that everyone should come to the mosque for their food. There should be protocols set aside governing the method of sharing food, these should have been on ground before Ramadan.

In conclusion, spending Ramadan in school could be a splendid experience too. As it is an opportunity to perform ibaadat's with our Muslim brothers and sisters in school.

Compiled by Maryam Awofeso and Abdulhameed Babatunde