By Bishop Foster

Photo courtesy of Omar Lanneau.

For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is about strengthening your connection to God while striving for personal growth. During the month of Ramadan, which this year fell between February 28 and March 29, many Muslims give up things that they take for granted. Many Muslims will fast—give up eating or drinking while the sun is up. There are two parts of the day when Muslims can choose to eat or drink. The first is called “iftar,” where, as soon as the sun sets, Muslims are allowed to eat or drink again to break their fast. The second is called “suhoor,” where Muslims wake up before sunrise and typically eat hydrating and nutritional foods, such as fruits, so that they can have the strength to get through their fast.

For Omar Lanneau (‘25), Ramadan is a way for him to connect with family he is separated from by geographical barriers. As long as he could remember, whenever Ramadan came around, he recalls the strong feelings of connection felt when surrounded by family, all wearing colorful traditional clothing, listening to Desi music, and the aromas of food. Lanneau started fasting for Ramadan when he started high school because his parents felt that before then, it was too early, and he needed time to grow.

Beginning his journey Freshman year, Lanneau played soccer for the Richmond Kickers and ran track for Collegiate, both of which fell during the month of Ramadan that year. As if going to track and soccer practice wasn’t hard enough, Lanneau remembers that during water breaks, he felt very out of place due to fasting. Lanneau couldn’t break his fast until after sunset, which often occurred after both of his practices had ended.

Now a Senior and looking back on his Freshman year, Lanneau feels the same warm feeling he remembers as a kid during Eid, the celebration that occurs after Ramadan has ended. After participating for four years, he is able to grow closer to his family and understand why they put their bodies through fasting, allowing him to gain a more appreciative perspective of everything that surrounds him.