Ramadan 2023
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) in partnership with the Division of Talent and Inclusion, Muslim Student Association (MSA), Dean of Students Office, Chartwells – Dining Services gathers the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) community together in observance of Ramadan. As the Shawwal Moon has not been sighted globally, Thursday March 23, 2023 is likely to mark Ramadan’s official observance. Ramadan is an Islamic holy month during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking each day from dawn to sunset, eating only within a short overnight period. In our campus planning and partnership(s), we have hoped to include information and marketing about Campus Prayer and Reflection Spaces and healthy resources for Suhoor (a meal ahead of sunrise) and Iftar (the main meal of the fasting day occurring at sunset). Learn more about supporting Muslim students and employees throughout Ramadan 2023.
WPI students and employees will have access to Suhoor Packs, which will be available for purchase at the Rubin Campus Center Food Court (using Goat Bucks, Credit Card, Bonus Points) as well as Morgan Dining Hall (using meal swipes) Thursday March 23, 2023 through Friday, April 21, 2023. Students and employees can simply notify the cashier about the need for meal swipe to break fast, receive a ticket upon swipe, give the ticket to the Dining Associate at the designated pick-up station, and then receive the Suhoor Pack.
Iftar Meals will be available from Halal Shack Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST. Students will be able to use special meals or exchange board meals at the checker in Morgan Dining Hall. For weekend meals (Saturdays and Sundays), students and employees will be able to retrieve their dinner (prepared from the Halal Shack) at Morgan Dining Hall by letting the cashier know it is the Iftar meal that they are seeking.
“Fasting is not limited to Ramadan in Islamic practice, it is also not limited to Islam. As our community gathers in observance of Ramadan in support of our Muslim community – we remember how important it is to have access to nutrient dense foods for our physical and spiritual wellbeing.”
-Kalvin Cummings (He/Him), Assistant Director for Religion and Spiritual Life
For Eid Al-Fitr (to celebrate the closing of Ramadan), which is expected on Friday, April 21, 2023 between 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM, this celebration will be hosted at the Halal Shack. The maximum capacity for the Eid dinner will be (80) guests and participants will sign-up by using the promotion’s QR code as soon as possible. The menu for this celebration, provided by Chartwell’s will serve to include: Trevit Daal, Masala Base, Cumin Basmati Rice, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chettinad Chicken, Black Chana Masala, and it would not be a celebration without a salivating Dessert Buffet.
ODIME will host dates to be available in all of our student identity centers (OASIS Multicultural Center, Collegiate Religious Center, Center for Black Excellence, and Lavender Lounge) as well as ready made vegetarian meals in the Collegiate Religious Center for additional support.
"Joe Kraskouskas, Director of Dining, Shavaun Cloran, Registered Dietitian and the entire Chartwells staff are proud to be part of this important effort to support those celebrating Ramadan and ensuring adequate nourishment is provided to all."
For more campus resources about Ramadan, please visit:
- Supporting Muslim Students and Employees During Ramadan 2023
- Dine of Campus - Ramadan
- Religious Holidays and Observances
- Gordon Library Guide - Faith and Spirituality: Islam
The Collegiate Religious Center (CRC) provides a space to WPI students, faculty, staff, and community members for the purpose of religious exploration, devotions, worship, prayer, education, administration, and fellowship. Our team of Campus Chaplains serve as spiritual advisors for students, and can offer support and guidance irrespective of students' primary religious traditions. As spiritual advisors to the WPI community, Campus Chaplains counteract the inequality of varied expression(s) of religion, spirituality, and any form of meaning-making practice and support student meaning-making expression to tend with systems of oppression as well as any other stressors. This center includes several reservable spaces to suit both spiritual and non-spiritual needs, including a Multifaith Meeting Space, Islamic Prayer Room, and Multifaith Worship Space.
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) promotes and oversees all student facing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.