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Ramadan begins Feb. 18, and Muslim students are preparing for a month of fasting, prayer and reflection.

Throughout the holy month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk while devoting more time to religious practices and strengthening their faith.

“Ramadan means a lot to me because it’s a time to get closer to Allah [God], reflect on myself and work on becoming a better person,” said sophomore Adil Ahmed Shaik, prayer coordinator for the Muslim Student Association.

With Ramadan less than four weeks away, Shaik is already changing his daily habits.

“Ramadan being less than a month away makes me feel excited and a little nervous at the same time,” he said. “I usually prepare by trying to pray more consistently, adjusting my sleep schedule and mentally getting ready to fast.”

Each day’s fast begins after suhoor, the meal eaten before dawn, and ends at dusk with iftaar.

MSA president and senior Nadia Mansourian said both meals offer moments of peace despite the demands of a busy society.

“During suhoor, I experience food being taken away from me and during iftaar, I get to eat again,” Mansourian said. “It’s very special because it shows how with every hardship like suhoor, there is an ease like iftaar.”

Students also plan to spend more time reading the Quran, Islam’s holy book, which Muslims believe was revealed during Ramadan. Mansourian said she has already begun reading it and hopes to finish by the end of February.

For junior Raya Al-Chaderchi, the MSA’s social media manager, the month is also an opportunity to connect with loved ones and help others.

“I am super excited for Ramadan this year, because the month means so much to me and I love spending it with family and friends,” Al-Chaderchi said. “I hope to finish reading the Quran and give back to people who are in need.”