Now that Ramadan has come to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how host families support their students during this spiritual time. Host mom Deborah shares how supporting Maddie from Mali, who is spending the 2024-25 school year with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State in Utah, during Ramadan has become a rewarding experience for her family. With compassion and openness, they’ve made this a memorable and meaningful chapter of their year together.
We have thoroughly enjoyed having Maddie in our home this school year. She is from Mali and is a recipient of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) scholarship. As a Muslim, she generally chooses not to wear a headscarf or participate in prayers. Yet, Ramadan has been a holier time for her. Maddie wasn’t interested in visiting the nearby mosque until we neared the Ramadan season. There hadn’t been any youth activities earlier in the year. In the weeks leading up to Ramadan, the announcements of activities started rolling in through texts and Facebook.
I would attend the mosque with Maddie and wear a headscarf with her. We went to firesides, dinners, and service projects. We made tasbih bracelets (similar to rosary beads). During this season, Maddie also wore a headscarf when she went to church with us. In solidarity, I wore a headscarf to church as well. That way, people could compliment me on my scarf and Maddie on hers, without singling her out and while letting her know that they support her honoring her faith.
Maddie chose to fast from sunrise to sunset, since following the more specific prayer schedule was a challenge for us and our community to track. I modified our family’s behavior by eating dinner later so that we could all eat together. It’s customary to break the fast with dates. I recommend reaching out to your student’s teachers about Ramadan. I didn’t realize how sluggish and dehydrated Maddie would be, and the toll it could take on her classes.
The end date for Ramadan remains tentative until a couple of days in advance. I understand it depends on the specifics of the moon. The day after Ramadan is Eid, which lasts two days. There is generally a large gathering for the prayer, with multiple mosques joining together. Some serve simple refreshments, while other communities could have a feast and party with bounce houses. (There is another Eid later in the year as well.)
It’s good to understand that some Muslims are stricter about pork. Conservative Muslims won’t eat in a home that has pork. Some won’t eat food from dishes that have cooked pork. Maddie was fine with us eating pork, as long as it didn’t touch her plate. We ate more cheese and barbecue chicken pizza, in lieu of pepperoni.
Overall, Ramadan has been a rewarding experience for our family. I’ve had great conversations with my kids about religion, and their perception of faith has been broadened. It’s been touching to be able to support Maddie through this season.
Are you interested in making a student like Maddie a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students!
