Colorful lantern decorations, gift bags and meaningful conversations filled Room 2603 on Feb. 18 as more than 20 students gathered to learn about Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar.

The Arabic Club and Muslim Student Association (MSA) collaborated to celebrate the start of Ramadan and educate students across Bellaire about the month. During the meeting, officers presented a slideshow explaining that Ramadan marks the month the Quran was first revealed to the last prophet, Prophet Muhammad. In Ramadan, muslims fast from dawn to sunset as an act of worship and self discipline, and the holy month is a time for prayer, charity and reflection.

For senior and Arabic Club historian Mohammad Habib, the purpose of the meeting centered on both awareness and community.

“The main goal of this meeting was to celebrate the start of Ramadan and to let people know what it is, why we celebrate it and what its significance is,” Habib said. “It was really about spreading knowledge of Ramadan to others who may have misconceptions.”

In the meeting, Habib addressed a common question: why Muslims fast from early morning until sunset.

“Fasting, which we call ‘sawm,’ is one of the five pillars of Islam,” Habib said. “Ramadan is centered around these five pillars, so it’s a very significant and meaningful time for us.”

Although Ramadan is spiritually uplifting, observing it during the school day can come with challenges, according to Habib. He said balancing fasting with academic responsibilities requires discipline and commitment.

“It tests us in different ways,” Habib said. “Even when we’re not eating or drinking anything during the day, we’re still doing our daily schoolwork and everything else. It really tests our faith, our devotion to fasting and our relationship with God.”

To support students who were fasting, the clubs worked to create both physical and emotional spaces for comfort. Students were able to gather and pray during the school day. Arabic teacher and club sponsor Samar Halabi said MSA prepared special gift boxes for teachers to spread awareness and celebration of Ramadan.

“The gift boxes include a statement about Ramadan for those who are unfamiliar, and it has a QR code if they have a question or if they want to learn more about Ramadan,” Halabi said. “When people understand something, misunderstanding disappears.”

She said what stood out most was the passion of teaching others about Islam, students showed during the meeting.

“You can tell how excited the officers were to do the presentation,” Halabi said. “They are very enthusiastic and very honest about it. When somebody is committed to their religion, you can see their commitment.”

Senior and MSA president Raneem Abuturabi presented detailed information about the spiritual meaning of fasting, the five pillars of Islam, nightly prayers such as Taraweeh and the importance of charity during Ramadan. She also addressed common misconceptions, including the misconception that fasting is only about avoiding food.

“Some people don’t really know the reason why we fast, and they don’t realize that we actually love it, even in times where it is hard to fast,” Abuturabi said. “I remember last year, one teacher told me, ‘You are sick and still fasting? You didn’t even take your medicine?’ And I told her, ‘No miss, I like fasting. I want to do it.’ I want people to understand that we’re not forced to do this.”

Beyond correcting misunderstandings, Abuturabi said she wanted students to see the deeper purpose behind the practice.

“People think it’s just about not eating, and then eating a lot afterward,” Abuturabi said. “But it’s really about the spiritual benefits. It’s not just about food, it’s about self-discipline, reflection and growing closer to God.”

To make the meeting engaging, both clubs included decorations and interactive activities like answering trivia questions and entering Quran competitions.

“We had decorations to make it feel festive and fun, and we all gathered together, Muslim and non-Muslim students,” Abuturabi said. “What really matters is bringing people together. Everyone is welcome.”

Freshman Faris AbdelAal said the meeting reminded him of the sense of belonging and identity Ramadan creates within the community.

“One of my favorite things is the comfort that it gives me,” AbdelAal said. “It really reminds me of my faith. I also appreciate the respect people give me when I fast.”

For Abuturabi, Ramadan carries personal meaning that extends beyond school walls.

“It makes me think about people who are hungry and don’t even have food to eat,” Abuturabi said. “It helps me understand what they experience. Ramadan especially makes me feel closer to God. I think of Ramadan like a guest, and I need to prepare myself for it.”

In addition to discussing the spiritual impact of Ramadan, Abuturabi reflected on how distance from family has shaped her experience of Ramadan.

“It’s been about three years since I’ve celebrated Ramadan with my family gathered together,” Abuturabi said. “My family is in Palestine, and I’m here in the U.S., so I really miss that time with them.”

Both clubs said the meeting aimed to foster understanding and unity across Bellaire.

“It’s important for everyone to be educated about other religions and understand the ideas behind them,” Abuturabi said.