Students Launch Charity Drives for Ramadan

By: Farah Samakia
@farahbassell

For the first time in nearly 14 years, Ramadan will be observed with classes in full swing, a new experience for many students, faculty and staff, but the focus will be on charity and good works.

The last time that students had to juggle fasting, observing Ramadan piety and a change in class schedule was before the pandemic in 2019 when the holy month was on May 6 to June 3, with finals and the last day of classes falling in the middle of that period.

This year, the university has taken into consideration the iftar timings and accommodated a schedule accordingly, alongside the various charitable activities and events around campus.

Many of the latter are being spearheaded by student groups.

“The Student Union (SU) is planning to elevate the nightlife on campus during Ramadan by organizing Ramadan nights, bringing people together through arranging activities such as sohour along with setting up Ramadan-themed decorations,” said Manar El Sallab, the Economics Senator and the Clubs and Conferences Committee “CCC” Chair in the Student’s Senate.

Sallab told The Caravan that many clubs this year proposed a range of plans for Ramadan tto the Office of Student Life. Popular student organization Mashroo3 Kheir and Hand in Hand (HIH) which are non-profit organization assembled in AUC will make charity drives the bulk of their “giving” initiative.

Mashroo3 Kheir, for example, will be looking to distribute Ramadan food packs to 1,500 households in four underprivileged areas – El Sa3eed, Shabramant, Marg, and Ezbet El Nakhl.

“We are excited to bring the Ramadan vibes because this is the month of good deeds. We will only be able to reach our goal by other students and faculty contributing,” said Amina Khedr, the President of Mashroo3 Kheir and graduating senior.

HIH is also planning a food drive but is also looking to provide other services, too.

“We will deliver clean water to areas deprived of water or whose residents live on unusable water. We hope that God will grant us success in serving the community in this holy month,” Ahmed Seif HIH President told The Caravan.

Being back on campus during Ramadan for the first time in more than two years might be a challenge. The Office of the Registrar posted a schedule for the Ramadan Spring 2022 semester to appropriate the Iftar times.

“My concern is that I live in Zamalek, and I might have difficulty managing my time to be ready for iftar and being on time for my classes,” Nour El Shafie, a senior majoring in Psychology said.

Studying in Ramadan will require more effort as students will be fasting for long hours during the day.

“I have been teaching for 16 years in AUC, so I am being very realistic about my expectations for this month. Not having food and caffeine throughout the day will drop the energy of the students. However, I am glad that I am teaching a morning class this semester because they will still be energized,” said Maher Asham, Professor of Applied Banking in the Finance department.

Morning classes such as those at 8:30 will start at the same time but end at 9:40 instead of 9:45am. Classes regularly scheduled at 10am will begin earlier at 9:45 and end at 10:55; all classes run for one hour and 10 minutes, with only five minutes shaved off.

Undergraduate and graduate classes regularly scheduled at 5pm and onward will now be held at 9pm.