Communities Unite at Interfaith Ramadan Break Fast

More than 200 students, family members, and area residents gathered in prayer as darkness fell Saturday to celebrate the breaking of a day of fasting, called an Iftar, beginning the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The event, hosted by the Muslim Students’ Association in Earl Hall, offered members of all faiths a time to join for prayer, feast on Turkish cuisine, and enjoy a concluding zikr ceremony—a devotional act in remembrance of Allah. Organizers aimed to provide non-Muslims with a clearer understanding of Islam and the sacred month of Ramadan, according to club members.
Last Thursday marked the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting in which able-bodied Muslims abstain from eating or drinking anything from sun-up to sunset as an act of submission to God and an exercise in self control.
Non-Muslim attendee Erin Kara BC ’11, came at the invitation of one of her Muslim friends, an MSA member who also participated in the event.
“I wanted to see what it was like and learn about a culture different from my own,” Kara said. “I’ve never been to a break-fast before.”
Many graduate students, like Rika Prodhan, a second year student in a Master of Public Health program, trekked down from the medical school campus to attend the event.
“Interfaith events like this are practiced around the world,” Prodhan explained. “We invite our non-Muslim friends to learn about our faith and feel as a part of our community. Everyone is always welcome at our events.”
After prayer, students formed circles on elegant rugs spread out around the floor and were served a full meal, following Ramadan dietary restrictions. At the end of the evening, Lukman Hoja—a Vekil, or Representative, of Sheykh Abdul Kerim el-Kibrisi—led the zikr ceremony.
“We are here, sitting together, trying to understand each other, eating together. It doesn’t matter what race you are,” Hoja said. “When there is familiarity there is humanity, when there is humanity there is intelligence. ... Every one of you wants intellectual freedom, yet you attend one of the most stringent universities. ... When it comes to spirituality, it’s free.”
While the self control of fasting without food or drink for a twelve-hour day requires obvious physical restraint, Ramadan is not just about the act of fasting, attendees said.
“Ramadan is also the month in which the Quran was revealed and is a time when one attempts to impose his spiritual will over his animal will,” said MSA programming committee member Omar Siddiqi, CC ’09.
Ramadan also serves to unite people, as Ramadan is a time when Muslims all over the world are fasting in conjunction, Siddiqi said. Muslims have practiced the tradition for around 1400 years.
“These events serve to cultivate a strong sense of community within the Muslims at Columbia. During Ramadan we are able to develop bonds within this community such that we create a family away from home,” Siddiqi added.
Throughout Ramadan, MSA will provide fast-breaking ceremonies, or Iftars, Monday through Friday at various campus locations.

Ashley Pandolfi can be reached at ashley.pandolfi@columbiaspectator.com