Amro Imam talks about the beauty, peace, and challenges of fasting during the Holy Month in his year during the full time one year MBA program.
By Amro Imam
Every year, the sliver of the new moon crescent inaugurates the holy month of Ramadan. Billions of Muslims around the world commence a full month of fasting from food and water from Fajr (dawn) to Maghrib (sunset), whilst fortifying their connection to Allah with late-night prayers, recitation of the Quran, and generous charity.
The month naturally brings family and loved ones together around iftar (time of breaking the fast). Plates of home-cooked meals have the single objective of touring all the houses in the neighborhood until you’re unable to distinguish your plates from those of your loved ones.
The Stern at NYUAD MBA program is no exception to these norms. Since it started, colleagues in the program experiencing Ramadan for the first time have been exuding curiosity about the month’s meaning and traditions. Some congratulated the fasting students with “Ramadan Kareem and Ramadan Mubarak”, some exclaimed: “even water?”, others joined the fast, and some even generously organized an iftar for their fasting colleagues.
As a Muslim who has spent the last three Ramadans in New York away from family, Ramadan at NYUAD with the inaugural cohort of the Stern at NYUAD MBA has been the comeback I’ve yearned for.
However, the story surely must put its protagonists through a hurdle or two. Although the day was made shorter, we were still facing six hours of classes a day, internship engagements, and external programming. At times it was difficult going through the rigorous curriculum on an empty stomach, a parched throat, and an uncaffeinated mind.
Then again, we would not be the first cohort of the Stern at NYUAD MBA if we wanted easy. Financial Accounting isn’t easy, but we still balanced our sheets. Microeconomics isn’t easy, but we still plotted our demand curves. Similarly, Ramadan during a year-long, condensed, high-level MBA isn’t a walk in the park either, but we’re able to go the distance with the amazing community support.
As we navigate this intense year together, the spirit of Ramadan reminds us of endurance, generosity, and community — values that will continue to shape our journey beyond this program. Ramadan Kareem from our family to yours.
