The Muslim Student Association (MSA) hosted a Ramadan Iftar event where members of the campus community broke their fast and prayed together. 

The event took place at the Pavilion, where they served traditional middle eastern food and desserts. 

During this time, many who observe the holy month fast for 30 days. 

Aaliyah Mahmoud, vice president of the MSA, said Ramadan is a very important and spiritual time for Muslim people.

“Ramadan is the month for worshiping and remembering God in our hearts and our minds,” Mahmoud said. “Ramadan is the month for cleaning our soul from bad habits and sins.”

During Ramadan, Muslims cannot eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. After sunset, they break their fast with prayer and begin their meal with food and water. 

Salma Abdel-Karim, president of the MSA, said the event was organized to bring the community together and teach students about Islam.

“We know that they (Muslim students) are far away from their home, so we want them to make this place for them like home,” Abdel-Karim said. “We want our community to feel the spirit of Ramadan.”

Ali Burianek, a junior medical student from Chicago, said Ramadan is about recognizing important aspects.

“One, that our creator is always providing for us and second, that it reminds us of people who are struggling with hunger around the world,” Burianek said. 

Ramadan officially ends on Sunday, March 29.

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