Are you short on ideas for what kinds of activities your Pakistan Students' Association should organize for Ramadan? Or are you not sure what to help Pak-American students before the arrival of the blessed month?

Here are some things to remember and ideas you can use to bring Pak-Americans on campus closer together and educate your campus community about Ramadan. None of them require a big budget.

1. Make sure to inform the mess hall about your food times

If you live on campus and pay for the meals, you need to inform the cafeteria people about the change in your lunch schedule. Some universities in the US already have such arrangements. If yours doesn't make a point to speak to the person in charge so you can eat Iftar and Sehri at your designated times without missing out on your food, which you've paid for.

2. Organize "Ramadan awareness week"

This does not have to be a large scale and extravagant event. A simple, attractive and colorful display of photographs and art, along with free pamphlets and written information about Ramadan should do the trick. Include information about how Ramadan is practiced in Pakistan. For instance, how is the time for Sehri announced? How is the time for Iftar made known? What kinds of foods are served during Sehri and Iftar? Include a sampling of these at your display. The samosas should be a surefire hit!

Also, a Ramadan Mubarak banner and some balloons would also add a nice touch.

3. Write an opinion column in your campus newspaper

Contact the school newspaper as soon as possible and explain that you would like to do a personal opinion piece on Ramadan and why it is important. Don't' just explain the rules and regulations though. If there are PSA members who have experienced Ramadan in Pakistan, include details of a Pakistani fast in the article.

Get the guidelines and the deadlines for the article and submit it quickly. Try to get it proofread by at least one person before you send it off.

4. Every weekend or Friday evening, hold an open Iftar and invite the whole campus

Arrange to book an open space on campus to do this. You can simply have an Iftar and leave it at that, or even better, arrange to have a SHORT talk on some spiritual aspect of Ramadan after the Iftar. Choose speakers who are knowledgeable, wise and who can speak well.

5. Have an Iftar gathering in your dorm room

If space allows it, invite friends and a couple of acquaintances to an Iftar gathering in your dorm room or your apartment on campus. Don't' forget the Pakoras, Dahi Baray, and other Pakistani Iftar treats. This will give the occasion a more warm and personal touch, in addition to the outreach different organizations on campus may already be doing.

6. Have the library put up a display about Ramadan in Pakistan

This should not only provide free brochures and written information to those interested. There should also be attractive photographs and Islamic art to attract the attention of passersby. And make a point of booking a space for this kind of display next year.

7. Talk about Ramadan in your classes

Bring up the topic, especially in sociology, anthropology and religion classes. Even better, talk to the teacher about doing a presentation on Ramadan to show the personal side of the occasion.

8. Do a commentary on campus radio about Ramadan

Find a radio show on campus that gets a big audience and ask if you can present a short commentary about Ramadan. You can make it informational, but even better, mix some humor into it. You can discuss the struggle to get out of bed for Sehri. Or the daily pre-Iftar cooking. Maybe you can even talk about what it's like to fast and break fast as a lonely student, away from the wonderful sights and smells of your Pakistani family and mom's great Iftar food.

For more info on PSA National email info@psanational.com

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/18/2002 8:06:46 AM

Readers' Comment

Usman: 10/14/2005 7:44:53 PM
Good compilation of ideas, seriously got me thinking. Also the talk of ramadan in Pakistan, the pakoras , the sehris, the mom made iftaris. Actually makes me homesick,well written indeed. Good to know there r other Patriotic Pakistanis out there.

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