Understanding the experience of Ramadan

I have never been called a terrorist, been ridiculed for fasting, or faced with outright Islamophobia. I am a Muslim Indian girl in America, and yet no one has ever told me to go back to where I came from, unlike others that follow Islam.

No, my experience has been one of negligence. Of simple problems that could be easily solved with a bit of awareness and education.

There are many people who are oblivious to Ramadan, but it's important to say that this is not entirely their fault. I'm sure that if more people were taught about it, they would be more curious.

I still remember in second or third grade when we learned about religious holidays in school. We learned about Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah and maybe 2 others. But not once was Ramadan or Eid mentioned.

A few years later in seventh grade, we had a unit on religions. I got pretty excited about talking about Islam and even read the textbook chapter on it beforehand. We talked about Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism. But not Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the world. No, they said we didn't have time for that.

When I did get to talk about my favorite holiday to my classmates or friends, they usually asked good questions. But then there were a few that stuck with me through the years. Like in middle school when someone asked, "Why don't you just eat when your parents aren't around? That's what I would do." Or when I was telling my friend why I wasn't eating lunch and about Islam and she said, "Wow, that's so strict. I'm glad I'm not Muslim."

Despite all this, I always love an opportunity to talk about Ramadan.

It has certainly been different this year, because it's my first full Ramadan during school. This means no more late nights and constant iftar parties, and the stress of school is weighing on everyone.

That combined with even going to the masjid is dangerous for those who aren't vaccinated, so it's been difficult this year.

Of course, there is still plenty to love. I love the pang of hunger that reminds me of my God.

I love the peacefulness of praying at sunrise and the best sleep of your life that you get afterward.

I love being invited to my friends' houses for socially distanced iftar and trying to stay awake until sunrise - at least last year, even though it never worked.

I love baking up a storm of sugar around Eid and dressing up in fancy saris.

I love the quiet bliss of breaking your fast with a chewy date and realizing that I took way too much food.

I know that no one means to be offensive and the questions are usually really good, like "why do you fast?" And "Can I give you this cookie now and you just eat it at dinner?" That one's my favorite. I think it's really amazing that all of you still reading are here to be educated and are willing to learn. So, truly, thank you.

• Samara Patel is a high school sophomore from Arlington Heights.