Throughout my life, I’ve become used to being the only Muslim in a room. Growing up in the suburban outskirts of cities, it was normal for me to be the only person wearing a headscarf in a classroom, office, shop or train station. Despite not being surrounded by people who shared my faith in day-to-day spaces, I always searched hard to find strong and empowering Muslim pockets within the sea of British suburbia. The mosque became my refuge. It was a place where people of all races came together to worship God; it was somewhere we prayed, played, and made friendships to last a lifetime.

Starting at Cambridge as a ‘Covid Fresher’ after a miserably uneventful gap year, I was happy to simply be able to experience somewhere new, especially after months of being stuck in my childhood bedroom. I was excited to meet new people who came from anywhere and everywhere, expecting a diverse group of people. Yet even at Cambridge, I was the only fresher at my college who wore the hijab (commonly used to describe the Islamic head covering for women). This wasn’t a problem as it was something I was used to and which had become normal. Once again, it felt like I was the only Muslim in the room.

But, to my surprise, I found friendship bound by faith right at my doorstep – in my next-door neighbours and flatmates, to be precise.

“In spite of our cultural differences, we came together in the more quiescent moments of hectic Cambridge terms: praying, fasting and eating together”

The beauty of a major world religion like Islam is that it represents a hugely international array of people from every continent, all over the globe. In a flat of twelve, I found myself living with three other Muslims, bringing a melting pot of backgrounds to the heart of Cambridge. From Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Sudan to Pakistan, we learnt each other’s languages, shared food from home, and listened to our experiences growing up in Muslim families across the UK. In spite of our cultural differences, we came together in the more quiescent moments of hectic Cambridge terms: praying, fasting and eating together. While other flatmates stayed up drinking, we retreated to a quiet corner of the flat together, patiently waiting for the buzz of drunken energy to die down. University is inevitably a time of change, but having people who can keep you grounded in values that are important to you can help you choose where you want to make those changes. With these people around you, you can grow in ways that won’t compromise on your faith.

I am exceptionally aware of how unconventional my experience as a Muslim student at Cambridge has been. Many students in Cambridge, myself included, continue to be the only Muslim person in certain spaces and lack representation within their colleges, subjects and societies. It would be wrong of me to sugar-coat the Cambridge experience for Muslim students as being without its challenges. Traces of islamophobia can be subtle to some, but lucid to others. The Student Union’s recent survey on islamophobic incidents has made evident that this is a university-wide issue, concerning everyone from students to porters to supervisors and academics. Students continue to be confronted about their beliefs, which at times can provide healthy debates, while others enter the realms of prejudice.

“After a little searching, or even by accident, you’ll find the right people right at your doorstep”

This April and May, Muslims will be observing Ramadan, the holy month in Islam when we fast from dawn to sunset for thirty days. We are encouraged to implement healthy spiritual, social and physical routines. Non-Muslims are often shocked by the commitment to not eat or drink during the day: “you can’t even have water?!” is a common response. However, abstaining from food and drink is only one part of established customs during Ramadan; giving to charity and practising patience are also encouraged. This will be a different Ramadan for everyone. For many students, this will be their first Ramadan away from home. Even when surrounded by supportive people, it can be an incredibly challenging month, requiring immense dedication and motivation. Ramadan in the UK often involves late nights and early mornings due to the changing nature of the solar calendar. Waking up at 4 a.m. is not an easy feat, not to mention the added pressures brought by an ongoing pandemic. Despite the hardships, I hope to make the most of a month of gratitude and forgiveness – two of the most important elements that make Ramadan so special.

For the first time, I will be responsible for making Ramadan a beneficial experience not just for myself, but also for the wider Muslim community in Cambridge. In my first two terms I found solace in Muslims outside of those on my floor - particularly with a vibrant group of girls at different colleges around Cambridge. We call each other ‘sisters’, as is common in Islamic culture. Bringing other Muslim students together at university became my biggest joy and, despite physical restrictions, I felt immediately close to them. The Cambridge University Islamic Society (ISoc) played a huge role in forming these initial connections. Having been recently elected as ISoc’s Student Affairs Officer and Head Sister I am nervous but also tremendously excited to take on a new challenge to deepen my connection with other students from all faiths. Even at Cambridge, you don’t have to be the only Muslim in a room. After a little searching, or even by accident, you’ll find the right people right at your doorstep.