Muslim Students Struggle to Find Dining Options During Ramadan

Charles Streeter Charles.Streeter@coyotes.usd.edu

With dietary restrictions during the month of Ramadan, USD’s Muslim students are struggling to adhere to their religious obligations with the current dining options on campus.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time of fasting and prayer for Muslims worldwide. Muslims are not permitted to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.

Talha Khan, a freshman majoring in business/innovation and entrepreneurship from Islamabad, Pakistan, said the lack of Halal beef and chicken make dining difficult.

“We have to go to Sioux Falls to get the chicken for us, which can be quite embarrassing because none of us own cars,” Khan said. “You’d have to go for vegetarian and since I go to the gym, I can’t fulfill my protein requirements.”

Halal, meaning ‘lawful’ in Arabic, defines items or practices that are permissible in Islam. For chicken or beef to be considered Halal, it must be slaughtered from the neck while reciting a prayer. The consumption of pork is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Khan uses a takeaway container to eat food from the cafeteria after sunset. He is only allowed one container for dinner and the following day’s breakfast.

“I usually reheat the mug if I have some left, but if not, I go to the C-Store and I get food from there,” Khan said.

“Because of that, I’ve used all of my Flex. I have about 50 bucks right now. Before Ramadan, I think it was about 400.”

Sodexo’s General Manager, Julia Neer, said she was first made aware of concerns about dining hours and Halal on April 3.

“We immediately worked with OMA (Office of Multicultural Affairs) to provide reusable to-go containers for Muslim students to pick up food in the dining hall to reheat after sundown,” Neer said.

Neer also stated that future Halal dining options were discussed for the fall with a student.

Khan hopes the dining hall will remain open later during Ramadan in the future.

“It would be highly appreciated if the timings go to 8:15, that way the food will be fresh,” Khan said.

Ramadan began March 22 and ends on April 20.

Volume 148, No. 7 April 12, 2023 www.volanteonline.com

Al Neuharth Media Center 555 N. Dakota St. University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 Adviser Tim Schreiner

Mission statement

The Volante covers issues relevant and interesting to USD students. Faculty, staff and community members are welcome readers, but the newspaper is written and presented for a diverse community of students from the students’ point of view. The paper should provide a variety of information, entertainment and educational opportunities for the readers. The Volante encourages everyone to write letters to the editor.

The Volante wishes to be viewed by students as respectable, objective, accurate, fair and trustworthy. If you have comments, concerns or questions, please contact The Volante at 677-5494.

The Volante is distributed Wednesdays during the academic year free of charge locally with the cost of $1 for each additional copy. One year subscription rates are $40, which solely covers the mailing costs.

The Volante does not endorse, promote or encourage the purchase or sale of any production service advertised in this paper. Advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.

The Volante disclaims all liability for any damage suffered as the result of any advertisement in this newspaper. The Volante reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Tavin Carncross Editor-in-Chief

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023 THE VOLANTE