Published February 10, 2026
Celebrating Ramadan, NYU Abu Dhabi–Style
From over 120 different countries, students bring their traditions to NYU Abu Dhabi—and share them widely. Many students are Muslim, so every February the campus comes together to recognize Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.
“Ramadan at NYU Abu Dhabi is celebrated through a mix of deeply personal routines and larger community traditions,” explains Meerah Al Shehhi. She is a double major in Legal Studies and Political Science at the campus. “It’s the kind of experience you don’t just remember. You carry it with you.”
Calm and Community
At the center of campus celebrations is the UAE Majlis, a student-led club dedicated to Emirati culture. Throughout the year, the club hosts regular events and gatherings. Then during Ramadan, they are “especially intentional about creating spaces for reflection, generosity, and togetherness,” explains Meerah, the club’s head of marketing.
Ramadan brings a noticeable shift in campus atmosphere, with classmates and professors alike recognizing it as a special time. “No one expects you to do it all. There’s a shared sense of intentionality. So people are more patient, spaces feel quieter, and evenings become a time for connection,” Meera says. After iftar, the fast-breaking meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan, students gather for communal prayers led by peers, meet at late-night cafes, or play cultural games.
Traditions for a Special Month
Students celebrate Ramadan in various ways, from everyday rituals to major community events. For example, many friends form their own small traditions. “My friends and I have a designated ‘date provider,’ who makes sure we always have dates to break our fast,” Meera shares. “Considering that all of Muslim students’ days are centered around the two meals—iftar and suhoor—we try our best to make sure no one eats alone.”
Larger traditions include Hag Al Laila (a celebration held halfway through the Islamic month of Sha’ban), Machboos Monday (where UAE Majlis serves machboos, a spiced rice dish), and Ghabga Night (a gathering after the last prayer of the day). Additionally, students often travel together to pray at local mosques, including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. “Praying under an open sky at midnight feels so renewing,” Meera says. “Afterward, it’s common to stop by the markets and booths around the mosque for dessert or coffee to turn these late nights into moments of reflection and togetherness.”
Giving Back and Celebrating Together
Community is at the heart of Ramadan, and NYU Abu Dhabi students find many ways to give back. For example, students participate in Iftar Sa’em (which means “feeding the fasting person”) by packing and distributing meals in the Mussafah district for workers who put in long hours. UAE Majlis also joins Palms of Giving, inviting students from universities across Abu Dhabi to pack meals for Iftar Sa’em.
For non-Muslim students, joining in is easy. “Support can be as simple and meaningful as showing up with curiosity and respect,” Meera says. Attending open iftars, joining events, or simply spending time with fasting friends helps create the sense of mutual support that defines the month. And while everyone may celebrate differently, one thing’s for sure: “Once Ramadan at NYU Abu Dhabi ends,” says Meerah, “you truly wish it lasted longer.”
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