Ramadan at Cardiff Met: faith, friendship and finding home
By Muskaan Ali
Ramadan has always been a time of reflection, discipline and spiritual growth for me. Observing it while studying at Cardiff Met has added new layers to what the month means in my life. Balancing lectures, deadlines, society commitments and social life while fasting from dawn to sunset has not always been easy, yet it has been one of the most grounding and fulfilling parts of my University experience.
Spending three Ramadans at Cardiff Met has shaped my University journey in ways I never expected. Each year has looked different academically and personally.
My first Ramadan at University was an adjustment. Waking up for suhoor in student accommodation, quietly making breakfast while my flatmates slept, and heading into lectures without my usual caffeine fix felt surreal. What could have felt isolating instead became an opportunity to build new connections. The Islamic Society played a huge role in that transition. Through it, I met fellow Muslim students navigating the same balance of coursework, deadlines and fasting. There was comfort in that shared understanding.
What has made Ramadan truly special at Cardiff Met is the sense of community. Breaking fast alone can feel isolating, but being surrounded by other Muslim students transforms the experience entirely. Whether gathering for iftar on campus, praying together, or simply checking in on each other during long days, there is a shared understanding that creates an instant bond. Even friends who do not fast often show support in thoughtful ways, from adjusting group meeting times to asking genuine questions about what the month means. Those small gestures remind me that Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but about strengthening character, patience and gratitude.
One of the most meaningful parts of Ramadan at Cardiff Met has been iftar on campus. Breaking fast together transforms an ordinary University evening into something deeply meaningful. Sitting in a circle, counting down the minutes to maghrib, sharing dates and water, and praying side by side creates a sense of unity that is difficult to put into words; it is not just about the food, it is about collective gratitude.
Over the years, those iftar gatherings became something I genuinely looked forward to. They transformed campus into a space that felt like home. Even during busy academic periods, pausing at sunset reminded me that faith does not need to be separated from student life – it can be woven seamlessly into it.
Volunteering during Ramadan also became an important part of my journey. Whether helping organise iftar events, supporting Islamic Society initiatives, or contributing to charity efforts, giving back added another layer of meaning to the month. Ramadan emphasises compassion and service and practising that within the University community made the experience even more fulfilling. It shifted my focus from just personal reflection to collective impact.
By my third Ramadan at Cardiff Met, the experience felt different once again. I was no longer just adjusting; I was contributing. I understood the rhythm of balancing University responsibilities with spiritual commitments. I came to appreciate the early mornings, the quiet walks to campus, the shared exhaustion and the shared joy at sunset. Ramadan had become less about managing challenges and more about embracing growth.
Looking back, three Ramadans at Cardiff Met have been about far more than fasting. They have been about belonging, about meeting people who remind you of home while creating new memories together.
Ramadan at Cardiff Met has taught me resilience, gratitude and the power of community. And for that, I will always be thankful.
Muskaan Ali is a final-year student at Cardiff Met’s School of Management and the SU Activities & Communities President-elect for 2026/27. She is widely recognised within the University’s international student community, having served as an International Student Ambassador and SU International Student Officer.