By Paulina Gajewski
The Bedford Room of the Student Center was transformed with drapery, vines, and backdrops as the sun set on the evening of Thursday, March 6. Students convened across the halls as they signed in and greeted faces, familiar and new, with wide smiles. The Muslim Students Association (MSA) and Muslims Giving Back (MGB) organization, in collaboration with the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), held the fourth annual Grand Iftar celebration for the BC community.
“Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan, holds significant importance for the Brooklyn College community, particularly for Muslim students, faculty, and staff,” Iqra Rani, president of MGB, told The Vanguard. “This event serves as an opportunity for community building, spiritual reflection, and cultural exchange.”
Ramadan, a holy month in Islam, began this year on March 1. Muslims who celebrate Ramadan fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink, and praying throughout the day. For most, it is a time of community and reflection. Having an event like this is integral to many Muslim students on campus.
“It is important to the BC community because it shows appreciation and respect,” Eva Chowdhury, attendee and member of the Bangladesh Student Association (BSA), told The Vanguard. “We Muslims are a big part of Brooklyn College, but a lot of times we face discrimination, so having events like an iftar party shows to us that the school cares about us being here.”
The evening began with a speech by leaders, followed by a recitation of a fragment from the Qur’an, the central religious text of Islam. Both the MSA and MGB played pivotal roles in bringing the evening to life.
“The MSA organized a team to pick up food from local restaurants while others set up tables with tablecloths, plates, water bottles, and dates,” Abdullah Alnayeem, treasurer of MGB, told The Vanguard. “Once the food arrived, they placed it on the tables, making sure everything was ready. Just before iftar, they did a final check to ensure everything was set for guests to break their fast.”
Following the formalities and prayer, students then broke their fast, many with the provided dates. Dates, symbols of blessing and sustenance, are often eaten to emulate traditions rooted in the Qur’an.
“For Muslim members of the college, iftar is a time to observe religious practices, reinforce their faith, and share the experience of fasting with others,” Rani told The Vanguard. “It also fosters a sense of solidarity, as they come together to break their fast after a day of spiritual reflection and self-discipline.”
Apart from the iftar celebrations and events surrounding Ramadan, these groups also support the community by providing events throughout the semester. This month is also a month of charity, and MSA and MGB came together to raise funds for their “Charities of the Month”: Halal Food Connections (HFC) and AwladAlNeel. Though the event itself has transformed since its inception in 2022, this aspect has remained stagnant.
“Yes, and a lot has changed and a lot hasn’t,” John R., attendee and graduate student at BC, told The Vanguard. “For one, each year we try raising money for charities of the month.”
The mission of HFC is to “combat food insecurity by ensuring access to nutritious, halal meals.” AwladAlNeel is a non-profit organization that aims “to preserve and celebrate Sudanese culture,” according to its mission statement.
“Our group supports the community by hosting fundraisers and collecting donations to help countries in need,” stated Umme Rahman, club connector for MGB. “We also organize events where people can relax, enjoy great food, and connect in a welcoming space.”
Community-centered events and fundraisers aren’t just held during Ramadan, but all semester. In previous semesters, the MSA and MGB held a series of fundraising bake sales, charity weeks, and educational lectures and discussions on global issues. This semester, MGB aims to raise awareness through its events pertaining to the state of Kashmir.
“Give us more room to talk […]. [Some countries globally] cannot break their fasts in the same way as us, but they hold onto faith,” John stated. “Ask us questions, offer us space at your table, but above all, hear our demands.”
Students hope to continue the thread of support and solidarity not solely in these clubs, but across the campus.
“By hearing Muslim voices you can support us, by standing with us when we are facing discrimination,” Chowdhury stated. “The school should provide more funds to the clubs so they can hold more events like this because these events help feed people and spread joy.”
The Grand Iftar also provided an opportunity for students outside of the community to learn more about the Muslim community and its respective traditions.
“For the broader college community, iftar events often provide a chance to learn more about Islamic traditions, promote inclusivity, and create a space for dialogue among people of diverse backgrounds,” Rani stated. “This encourages cultural understanding and strengthens the sense of unity and respect within the diverse student body and faculty.”