Practising your religion or faith at the University of Birmingham

Nowadays, students are busier than ever. Between studying, work, extra-curricular activities, and family obligations, it can be difficult to set aside time for anything else, especially your religion.

• If you are not part of any religious society I would strongly recommend joining one.
• If you are connected with a religious society, it is really important that you stay in touch with them. Most of the societies are offering worship, prayer and pastoral support that can be accessed on campus and resources online. If you haven’t been in touch with your faith community for a while don’t feel anxious about getting back in touch now – this is what lots of people are doing and being warmly welcomed and supported.
• As well as staying in touch with faith community try to develop a pattern to your daily life that includes space and time for your religious practices (prayer, reading, praying in mosque etc).

If you don’t follow a particular faith or religion at the moment you may find that living with the challenges makes you think about the purpose and meaning of life, how you fit into the big picture of the world and universe, where you might find hope and other ‘big questions of life’. I would encourage you to make time to explore your questions. Any faith society will be happy to answer your questions.

How do you practice your faith when student life is busy?

It can be tough to fit in prayers. It can be even harder to feel grateful in the midst of such a busy schedule. Your balance for practising your faith is important. If you are finding it challenging then consider using the following tips:

1. Keep your prayer journal (Quran/Bible etc) nearby

Quran and prayers are essential tools for your journey as a Muslim. These items should always be easily accessible so that you can record your prayers or read Quran passages whenever you have spare time. If difficult, the. You can download it on your phone. When you're stuck in line or in a waiting room, ditch social media and read instead. Who knows, it might even remind you to have patience and be grateful for the slow-down in your routine.

2. Schedule time for prayer breaks

Block your slot on your time table. This time should be written in your planner or recorded on your phone, ideally with an alarm to remind you that it's time to begin. By scheduling time for prayer, you are telling yourself that it is an important part of your day.

3. Make a commitment to pray with your roommates

Another great way to build accountability into your routine is to commit to a daily prayer session with your friends. Praying with a roommate is the perfect way to strengthen your relationship with each other and with God.

4. Join a prayer group

This is a great way to not only build connections but also to motivate you to pray on time and attend events. (E.g Jummah Prayers, community Iftar, faith talks etc).

5. Remember to pray before meals

One of the easiest ways to incorporate prayer into your routine is to make a habit of praying whenever you eat. Simply pause before eating to thank God for the meal you are about to consume, while also recognising the hard work of all those who made your meal possible.

Incorporating your faith into everyday life does not have to be a challenge. It solely requires a commitment to strengthening your relationship with God. No two Muslims practice their faith in exactly the same manner, so find a routine that works for you and stick to it :)