THE RAMADAN BRIDGE: INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE AND RAMADAN FASTING EXPERIENCE AMONG NON-MUSLIM STUDENTS IN A PRE-UNIVERSITY SETTING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJMOE.831052Keywords:
Intercultural Solidarity, Non-Muslim Participation, Practical Pluralism, Ramadhan Fasting, Social CohesionAbstract
In multicultural academic environments, religious rituals often serve as markers of identity that can either segregate or unite. This study examines the sociological impact of non-Muslim students participating in the Ramadan fast. Using qualitative data from respondents of different religious backgrounds from one of the higher institutions in Malaysia, the research explores the transition from “outsider” to “participant”. Results indicate that participation is often motivated by a desire to experience the practice firsthand or to support friends. The study finds that communal meals (Iftar) and shared physical struggle lead to “prouder” and “amazed” reactions among Muslim peers, which in turn strengthen social bonds and reduce cultural distance. By analysing how these non-muslim pre-university students navigate communal spaces such as mosques and cafes, the paper argues that the Ramadan fast provides a unique civilisational platform for “practical pluralism”, in which shared action transcends theological differences to build a more inclusive campus community.
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