Hello,

As the semester comes to an end you may feel the real pressure of what it means to be burnt out. We feel you and we see you doing the best you can… keep going. We believe in you!

If you want some time to distress and a safe space to be creative be sure to continue to make our Writer’s Circle!

For this week, I would like to also extend my Salam to all my Muslim brothers and sisters and say Eid Mubarak! During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset. Of course, there are many reasons for this, the most obvious is to feel what it means to not have the small things we take for granted like water. But it is much more deep than this; in this month, Muslims are meant to fast and refrain from all the little bad habits that have their own nasty way of clogging up our pure intentions like backbiting, judging others, and even swearing. During this month Muslims believe that the doors to heaven are essentially open and pure prayers are accepted by God. Does everyone have to believe in this? Of course not. But it is pretty interesting and important to understand one another’s religions and cultures and to celebrate our differences!

I leave you with a quote from the most righteous followers of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) regarding the importance of knowledge:

When a dead person is placed in his grave, four kinds of fire will cover him, but then the prayer will come and put one of them out, and the fast will come and put another one of them out, and then charity will come and put another one out, and knowledge will come and put the fourth one out, and it will say : ‘ If I had come sooner, I would a have put all of them out, and given you delight for I am with you now, and you’ll not see anything else distressing. ‘

With that, I remind you that you can and absolutely will do amazing out there– you got this!

Jana Taoube ツ

Oh & PS. Not everyone fasts the holy month of Ramadan… and no, they don’t go to hell. The elderly, pregnant women, women on their menstrual cycle, and those who are sick are all examples of that.

Oh & PSS. Really disappointed that CUNY does not recognize this holiday as deserving of a day off… what’s up with that? If you are interested in that there are lots of petitions going around about that (https://www.change.org/p/cuny-have-cuny-cancel-classes-for-eid-al-fitr?original_footer_petition_id=20205484&algorithm=promoted&source_location=petition_footer&grid_position=11&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAA87tgEAAAAAYJMCdzR86wAwODhlNGQyOA%3D%3D)

…I guess we will have to see about next year…