St Catharine’s is looking forward to our students, staff and Fellows being able to observe Ramadan – a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community for Muslims – especially after public health restrictions disrupted worship and gatherings worldwide in 2020 and 2021.
Sahana Kalam, a first-year HSPS undergraduate, and Afrin Patel, a first-year Engineering undergraduate, are the BAME officers on the St Catharine’s JCR Committee and have been working closely with teams in College to prepare for Ramadan. They explain:
“As Freshers, this Ramadan will be particularly memorable for us because it is the first time that we have been away from home and our loved ones. We hope everyone at Catz who is observing Ramadan will make the most of the support that College is providing, and get in touch with us if you have any additional ideas for how we can mark Ramadan or Eid together.”
Afrin Patel and Sahana Kalam, JCR BAME Officers
Cambridge Central Mosque (credit: Sir Cam @camdiary)
Fasting: To support fast observers, the College’s catering team is providing Iftar and Suhoor meals, which can be pre-ordered and collected from the Catzebo in Main Court at the end of each day. If you would like to use this service, please email food@caths.cam.ac.uk and our catering team will email you our daily menu and order form.
Visiting Cambridge Central Mosque: The city’s eco-friendly and non-denominational mosque can welcome up to 1,000 worshipers. Students with financial difficulties who want to pray/visit the mosque can apply for travel reimbursement at https://forms.gle/dNx3pCfNjwZi7fK26. Students who feel unsafe travelling to/from the mosque on foot or bike, particularly for night prayers, are welcome to make use of the College’s welfare taxi scheme by asking the Porters’ Lodge. Students are encouraged to travel in groups, where possible.
Prayer room: During Ramadan, Bull A will be available as a prayer room and can be found on the first floor of the Bull building on the Island site. Toilet facilities can be found opposite and next to the room. The room will be signposted. As the room is already in use in the morning, it is only available for prayers from 6 pm onwards. Please bring your own prayer mat as they are not provided.
2022 is the last time that a temporary space will be needed because a new multi-faith prayer room is being built as part of the College’s Central Spaces project.
Dr Nafay Choudhury (2021), Jeremy Haworth Research Fellow at St Catharine’s, commented:
“The new multi-faith prayer room will be a rich and valued addition to Catz. Just as study provides intellectual nourishment, for many in our community, prayer provides spiritual replenishment that allows them to excel in all their activities. The design of the prayer room involved the input of students, fellows and staff at the College. In between meetings, classes and supervisions, the room will provide a space for quiet relief and contemplation within the bustling life of the College. The room will be open to all College members and shows the commitment to diversity alongside excellence at Catz, as the two go hand-in-hand.”
Designs for the College's new multi-faith prayer room
