As Muslims, we are encouraged to do our share of voluntary fasts outside of Ramadan. A little over a month ago, on Thursday, December 5th, BHA’s AQI department hosted the 2024 Highschool Siyam Night. Many high-school students volunteered for the event, working diligently for weeks to prepare for their roles in order to ensure a perfectly executed event. Students, teachers, and parents came together to celebrate the importance of fasting in Islam. The evening was filled with activities that helped everyone understand the significance of Siyam (Arabic word for fasting), with presentations by students, Quran recitations, and raffle drawings. It was a great opportunity for the community to reflect on the values of discipline, self-control, and empathy that fasting teaches, and to discuss how these lessons can be applied in our everyday lives.
The event was not only educational, but also a time for everyone to connect and enjoy each other’s company. Traditional food from various cultures was served to break the fast, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Parents and teachers joined in the celebration, making it a community event for all. Siyam night was the perfect chance for friends and family to socialize and connect during a time of high stress, with midterms looming. As a needed reminder of how soon Ramadan is, students and staff completed a voluntary fast, breaking it together with communal potluck food and dessert.
Photo Credit: Jannah Iqbal
The evening also served as a reminder of the importance of giving back, as the event emphasized not only personal growth through fasting but also the value of supporting and uplifting one another within the community. Each grade level was assigned a different food item: 9th and 10th grades were asked to bring main dishes, while 11th and 12th grades were asked to bring side dishes and desserts. Students were inspired to bring a dish not only for the incentive of a quiz pass, but also to share their own home cooked meals with the community. Each student brought a unique and tasty dish, and friends of different cultures shared special foods important to their heritage.
The 2024 Highschool Siyam Night was a meaningful event that brought our already close-knit community closer together. It provided a great opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to learn more about the importance of fasting in Islam, while also reflecting on the personal growth it encourages. The night was filled with fun activities, delicious food, and moments of connection, making it a truly memorable experience. As we look forward to Ramadan, Siyam Night reminds us of the values of discipline, empathy, sharing, and self-control, and how we can carry those lessons with us in our daily lives.
