During his month-long observance of Ramadan, Ohio University freshman Djibril Gueye wakes up before sunrise to eat breakfast. In accordance with Muslim law, he cannot eat again until the sun goes down ' a special challenge for a student who lives on campus and holds a 14 meal plan.
So far it's been fine ' I usually eat at the Islamic Center or get Grab 'n' Go from Nelson or Shively (dining halls) at night
Gueye said. The mosque has helped out a lot so it hasn't been hard to get food.
Although food is accessible to Muslim students during Ramadan ' especially because the Muslim Student Association has hosted dinners at sunset ' Gueye said the holiest time of the year for his religion has been expensive as a student paying for a meal plan.
I'll be spending about $300 during Ramadan on food he said. It's going to be a lot easier when Ramadan ends
and I can eat during the regular dining hall hours.
OU's dining halls cover meal periods from breakfast at 7:15 a.m. and serve dinner until 7 p.m. Nelson Dining Hall's Mini Mall is open until 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until 11 p.m. on Thursday, but it closes at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Dining Services has spoken to Muslim students to determine the best way to accommodate fasting students and have concluded that the early dining hall hours and other to-go options are sufficient, said Emily Howard, Marketing Manager for Housing and Food Services.
Dining Services does offer late night and early morning options
Howard said. Nelson's Grab 'n' Go is open late into the evening
and students can also request sack meals
which can be picked up after dark. The dining halls also open before sunrise for Muslim students.
While dining hall options may not work all the time for Muslim students, some said they understand their needs during Ramadan represent a minority of students.
The Muslim student population is very small
said senior Jordan Robinson, a member of the Muslim Student Association. When I was living in the dorms
I was one of two Muslims living on campus
so I don't blame them for not accommodating us. Still
it would be nice if they could research what other schools have done to accommodate Muslims during Ramadan.
Gueye said while he has taken advantage of some of Dining Services' options, OU could be more responsive to the needs of Muslim students.
I'm paying for 14 meals a week
