The period of Ramadan revolves around sightings of the moon. Its appearance dictates when Muslims should start or stop fasting, marking significant stages of the holy month. This year, the observance of Ramadan has taken on new dimensions, bolstered by community efforts aimed at inclusivity and celebration alongside traditional practices.
For the second year running, Bank al Etihad and VML Jordan launched their innovative ‘Blind Faith’ campaign, designed to integrate the visually impaired more deeply into the cultural rituals of Ramadan. Last year, the initiative crafted personal braille bracelets to empower visually impaired individuals to experience the month’s spiritual journey. This year, ‘Blind Faith’ has evolved into a communal experience, now featuring a tactile and visual guide that enhances the observance for families.
“It’s no longer just a tool for fasting, it’s a shared ritual,” says Raya AbuJaber, the creative director at VML Jordan. The campaign has introduced a special booklet that serves as a tactile Ramadan guide, offering a braille lunar calendar for tracking moon phases, Iftar and Suhoor times, and written information in Arabic. This transformation invites broader family participation, allowing everyone to explore and share in the experience of Ramadan.
Raya explains the motivation behind the campaign: “It all started with the Imsakiyeh: the Ramadan calendar every Muslim home relies on. But then we thought, it’s only useful if you can see it.” With this thought, they sought to create a Ramadan calendar designed for touch, leading to the development of the effective tactile solutions that have garnered emotional responses, especially from those who lost their sight later in life.
“For those born blind, that simple circular shape helped them experience the moon for the first time,” AbuJaber notes, illustrating how fundamental symbols of Ramadan have become accessible. The goal extends beyond merely offering tools; it's about fostering inclusive practices that resonate deeply with individuals and families.
Meanwhile, St. Thomas University (STU) has taken proactive steps to support its Muslim student population. On March 17, 2025, STU organized a campus-wide Iftar, attracting around 150 attendees from various backgrounds, thus fostering a greater understanding of Ramadan. The communal meal served traditional foods, breaking the fast at sunset and encouraging students, faculty, and staff to engage in discussions about the significance of Ramadan.
As part of their commitment to inclusivity, STU also offered Suhoor bags to all Muslim students. The bags, which contain essential items like dates, fruit juice, and oatmeal, aim to help students maintain their energy levels throughout the long fasting days. One student, Lima Samim, highlighted the challenges of managing university life while fasting. “The Suhoor bags are a lifesaver. Knowing that the university acknowledges Ramadan and is making an effort to support us makes a big difference,” she shared.
STU’s cultural diversity coordinator, Saa Andrew Gbongbor, has emphasized the ongoing efforts to ensure that faculty and staff understand the challenges faced by students during Ramadan. “We’ll evaluate what worked and what did not work, what we should do better next year,” Gbongbor said, highlighting the need for continuous improvement.
Ramadan is not only a time of fasting; it is also a period filled with joy, reflections, and occasionally humorous situations. This year, social media erupted with videos of ‘Ramadan cats’—felines waking up early alongside their human companions for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, leading to widespread amusement on platforms like TikTok. Cats from Muslim households appear confused and bewildered, showcasing their adorable antics as they adjust to disrupted schedules and unexpected meals.
One viral TikTok video from user @saratjem features a sleepy cat roused from its slumber by the aroma of food filling the kitchen, amassing over 1.5 million likes. Comments on the video reveal an outpouring of relatable humor as viewers share their own experiences with pets waking early during Ramadan. “Confused Ramadan cats are my favorite thing on the internet right now,” one user noted, as the trend continues to capture hearts across social media.
As families wake up around 4:30 AM to prepare for Suhoor, many cats initially seem displeased with their new schedules, unwittingly making them unlikely stars of the season. Even as search interest spiked for terms like “Do cats fast in Ramadan?” it remains clear that while cats aren’t observing veganism or fasting, the shift in environment brings laughter and light to the typically solemn month.
This tapestry of stories—from initiatives breaking boundaries for inclusivity to the humorous experiences of bewildered pets—illustrates the multi-faceted spirit of Ramadan. As communities continue to adapt and innovate, the observance of this holy month stands as a testament to diversity, respect, and understanding among its practitioners. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewal, uniting families and fostering connections across cultural divides. Whether through serious efforts to bring accessibility into everyday life or through the joy sparked by playful pets, the essence of Ramadan is alive in many forms this year.
