For Muslims at the University of Minnesota, Ramadan arrives this year on the heels of a difficult time. 

Large numbers of federal immigration authorities have been present in Minnesota, putting many of the University’s international and non-white students at risk. As agents slowly withdraw from the state, hope is emerging for many at the University that the worst has passed.

This Ramadan, students and community members are feeling more motivated than ever to come together and celebrate during what has been an otherwise unconventional year on campus. 

“Given the stuff that’s been happening recently in Minneapolis, it’s really important that we stick together as a community, that we support each other,” said the president of the Muslim Student Association, Mirza Baig. “It’s really important that we try and put in any effort we can so that our community is enjoying this month.”

An unconventional Ramadan

When federal immigration agents first began arriving in the state, Dahir Munye found himself in uncharted waters. As the president of the Somali Student Association, he was suddenly forced into a position of guidance for many at the University, looking for clarity during uncertain times. 

“It is still a really weird feeling, but if anything, I feel like it’s kind of drawn us a little bit closer together in a sense,” Munye said. “Obviously, it doesn’t feel good to be targeted, but the way that everybody kind of comes together, it is really nice in all honesty.”

While the strongest Immigration and Customs Enforcement rhetoric in Minnesota targeted the Somali community, many others have been caught in the crossfire.

Jobaer Rahman Rashed, an international student from Bangladesh and treasurer of the Graduate Muslim Student Association, is one of these students. He said that during the height ofTwin Cities ICE operations, he was afraid to even leave the house.

“I felt like if I go out, then maybe I’ll get [taken] because they are not listening to anything, they are just judging the tone, the accent,” Rahman Rashed said. “My son is at school, and if they catch me, they deport me. Then what will be my son’s fate?”

Now, for Rahman Rashed and other Muslims on campus, Ramadan is bringing much-needed relief. 

Rahman Rashed said with the wind-down of federal agents coinciding with the month of Ramadan, the timing is perfect to celebrate. He said at nightly dinners hosted by the MSA, where people come together to break their fast, he feels particularly close to his community.

“Everybody is coming there, so it’s an event where we can meet each other, we can share our feelings,” Rahman Rashed said.

These nightly dinners, called iftars, are the heart of the MSA’s Ramadan community-building efforts. Over 150 students and community members participate in nightly iftars, held every weekday, usually in Coffman Union.

For students busy with classes, work or other commitments, the MSA’s iftars help relieve some of the burden students face in celebrating Ramadan while balancing multiple priorities. 

“We want to make sure we’re doing whatever we can to make them feel supported and make them feel like there is a community,” Baig said.

Baig also pointed to collaboration with the University’s Al-Madinah Center as essential in bringing so many people together.

In addition to nightly iftars, the MSA provides resources to students, such as email templates, should they need to ask for accommodations from professors. Baig said the organization also prioritized safe spaces for students to participate in religious services, including nightly prayers.

“We want to make sure we’re trying to use Ramadan as a month to stay united and stay connected to one another,” Baig said. “If anybody is struggling through something, if anybody is going through something; we want to make sure we create a space that they feel comfortable enough to reach out, to talk to somebody and seek help.”

For Marwa Saidi, external vice president of MSA, community is at the heart of everything the organization does.

“There was a lot of uncertainty when the semester first started, and we want to be that rock for the muslims, and honestly, everybody on campus,” Saidi said. “We can go there, we can feel safe, we can still talk to people, eat food together, laugh together and just have a community.”

Saidi said her fondest memories of Ramadan are about sharing it with her family. She said they’re trying to recreate that feeling at the MSA.

“When you break your fast with food, and you’re around all these different people, you may not know them, but at the end of the day you almost feel like, ‘You know what, this is a family,’” Saidi said.

Community focus

For some on campus this year, community is taking a more important role in Ramadan celebrations.

While Somali and other immigrant communities have been targeted by federal immigration agents for the past several months, they have not gone unchallenged. Federal operations have drawn strong resistance from residents, with local ICE monitoring groups becoming active and protests occurring daily.

Munye said seeing so much support from the community inspired the SSA to take action themselves.

“It’s like, ‘Ok, if these people are fighting for us, then we sure as hell better be doing the same thing,’ you know?” Munye said.

Munye said support from other student groups motivated the SSA to speak up for Somali students on campus.

For Rahman Rashed, like so many at the University, the past several months have been a stressful time. He hopes now the worst has passed and international students like him will be able to celebrate Ramadan safely.

Rahman Rashed said he was grateful for the community’support in the most difficult moments.

“I felt blessed to be in Minnesota,” Rahman Rashed said. “I saw there was not any different reaction between international or national or Minnesotan; the local people are moving for international people.”