My experience with Ramadan at Waterloo

Suhoor 

One of the biggest concerns I had coming to Waterloo, especially in my first year when I lived in Village 1, was what I was going to have for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal Muslims typically have before starting their fasts. Luckily, while the residence cafeterias do close around 10 - 10:30 p.m., they provide pre-packaged Suhoor meals that you can pick up during the day and store in your room until Suhoor. There were also tons of other foods you could grab and store that were available year-round like fruits, cereal, and yogurt.  

Living off-campus with my friends has made Suhoor even more special. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still half-asleep at 5 a.m., but knowing my best friends are there to wake me up, having my water bottle filled because they know I won’t have time between prayers, and sharing a quick laugh before we all crash again makes every Suhoor feel that much more meaningful. 

Iftar 

One of the most beautiful parts of Ramadan at Waterloo is the abundance of community Iftars happening throughout the month. Various student clubs, including the Muslim Student Association (MSA), Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP), Pakistani Student Association (PSA), North African Student Association (NASA), The Citizen’s Foundation (TCF), and more, organize Iftars where students can come together, break their fasts, and enjoy the sense of unity that makes Ramadan so special. These events often involve fundraising efforts, Islamic talks, and group prayers, giving you the sense of community that is so unique to Ramadan.  

On nights where there isn’t an event to go to, my friends and I are either hosting our own Iftars at our place, going out to eat at one of the many halal restaurants in the city, or just spending a quiet Iftar at home with the five of us. Either way, whether we’re working, finishing assignments, or have an exam the next day, we still manage to find the time to break our fasts together.  

Taraweeh  

One of the most special parts of Ramadan are the nightly Taraweeh prayers. After Iftar, the UW MSA hosts 20 rak‘at Taraweeh on campus, in the Student Life Centre (SLC) every night, creating a space where students can come together to pray, reflect, and feel the collective spirit of Ramadan. Whether you stay for all 20 rak‘at or just a few, you don’t have to worry about missing out on these special prayers being away from your local mosque. It’s a beautiful reminder that even while away from home, the sense of community in Ramadan never fades.

My friends and I will always grab a coffee or a sweet treat before heading to Taraweeh and always sit together at SLC afterwards talking or studying into all hours of the night.  

Finding your community  

With all the Iftars, post-Taraweeh runs, and the general excitement and welcoming attitudes around campus, Ramadan at Waterloo always feels special. Everyone’s eagerness to connect and share in the joy of the month creates an environment that fosters deep friendships. Every year, I walk away having met so many new people and creating lifelong friendships. Whether it's chatting during Iftar or bonding in between prayers, there’s something about the energy of Ramadan here that makes you feel part of a community that lasts well beyond the month. 

Check out this video I made at a Pakistani Student Association Iftar.

Ramadan at Waterloo is truly my favourite time of the year. The connections that I get to build and deepen during this month are simply unmatched and with so many people all working toward the same goals, it makes it easy to make the most of this sacred month.  

If you are unfamiliar with Ramadan, learn more about the importance of this special time.