GCC STUDENT SHARES CULTURAL LESSON

Gloucester County College English as a Second Language (ESL) student Fatima Nelson (left) introduced fellow classmates to the Muslim holiday Ramadan on Thursday, August 20, sharing handmade Moroccan clothing, delicious food and religious customs. Pictured with Nelson are (left to right) Yolanda Garcia, Anzhela Maslenko, Byron Leiva and Lucia Krajcovicova.

During the Islamic month of Ramadan from one hour before sunrise until sunset, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, sexual relations or other pleasures during the daylight hours. Nelson, of Washington Township, arranged a sample iftar, an evening meal when Muslims break their fast.

“I wanted to treat my classmates to this joyous ritual,” said Nelson, who spent hours the night before making soup, cheese, bread and a delicious dessert of fried dough flavored with orange blossom water, honey and sesame seeds called chabbakia.

Nancy Nolan, an ESL instructor who lived for 15 years in Dubai and one year in Turkey, also shared her experiences celebrating Ramadan aboard.

“The College’s ESL program brings so many people together from different cultures,” said instructor Joan Kirschner. “Students are always eager to exchange customs and learn about other parts of the world, whether it’s religion, traditions, or ways of thinking.”

“This class is like the United Nations with students from Morocco, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Slovakia, the Ukraine, China, India, Columbia, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. It’s educational and fun,” said Nolan.