Ramadan is a blessed month for Muslims worldwide where those who observe the month, abstain from food, drink, and physical intimacy in exchange for spiritual nourishment. Muslims fast from sun-up until sun-down. It is a time for community, spirituality, and connection.
Muslims welcome Ramadan every year but once again, our hearts are heavy as Ramadan returns. Ramadan returns but Israeli aggression against Palestinians continues at unprecedented levels.
We are still witnessing the mass killing, displacement, and destruction of Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza. Despite a “ceasefire” in place, Palestinians in Gaza face freezing weather, starvation, bombings, and snipers leading to a rising death toll. In the West Bank, they are facing murder, mass displacement in levels the West Bank hasn’t experienced since the 1967 Naksa, and the intentional destruction of infrastructure like roads and buildings.
Champaign-Urbana is home to more than 3,000 Muslims and hundreds will come together daily to break bread and pray together. The Palestinians will be in our hearts and prayers as we observe the blessed month.
Ramadan will begin in Champaign-Urbana on Saturday, March 1, 2025, and end March 29, 2025. It is immediately followed by Eid Al-Fitr on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Read more below on how to better support your Muslim friends, colleagues, students, and employees:
A thank you to the Muslim Civic Coalition for creating this guide. Find more of their Ramadan resources here.