Muslim Student Association brings Iftar to campus

Photo by — Numair Younus

Elmhurst University held its annual Iftar on April 4, located in the Founder’s Lounge. This was a celebration of the Muslim students of EU who broke their fast at sunset.

Iftar is when Muslims gather around the dinner table with family members and get ready to break their fast.

The event was hosted by the Muslim Student Association (MSA) of EU and the Spiritual Life Council of Elmhurst. The event was held to allow everyone to join and spiritually experience what actually happens during Iftar.

MSA Treasurer Afrah Ahmed was one of the students who organized the event.

“What I loved most about the Iftar was getting to see so many different people in one place sharing a meal together,” said Ahmed. “It was really nice having people come up to me and ask things like ‘is it okay if we watch you guys pray’ or ‘how do you know what time to break fast?’”

“You could tell they were genuinely curious, which that itself meant so much to me,” continued Ahmed.
Iftar, for Muslims, is a daily practice during the month of Ramadan. For the students at EU, this is something they get to experience once a year. Students who are curious ask questions about the entire process and what Muslims eat after fasting the whole day.
As demonstrated at the event, Muslims break their fast with a date and water, as this is what Prophet Muhammaed (PBUH) did when he broke his fast.

It is accustomed to break every fast with a date and to also say a blessing called Bismillah, which translates to in the name of God. Then, they start eating with the right hand as that is what is accustomed as tradition.

EU senior Erum Atcha recalled her feelings toward Iftar when she was younger.

“When I was little, I didn’t like dates, but slowly, I grew to appreciate its caramel-like, sweet, sweet taste,” Atcha said. “I could eat a million in a single setting.”

People celebrate Iftar in different and special ways, and each family has something traditional to their household.

“Our Iftar usually consists of fruits, spring rolls, mozzarella sticks, and some Indian dish my mom decides to make [at the] last minute,” said Ahmed. “It’s a random selection, but it’s got something for everyone on the table.”

EU senior Farah Qureshi also recalled her family’s Iftar tradition of fruit, a small dessert, and prayers.

“At home, we always break our fast with a date and water. It is followed by paties and fruit chaat,” said Qureshi. “After prayer, we have some type of food and then a very small dessert. The dinner meal always varies for us, but last night it was beef stew [nihari].”

Everyone has their own types of food they crave throughout the day, and ultimately they get included in the Iftar.

“This changes every year for me, but I definitely have some type of food every Ramadan that I am absolutely obsessed with,” said Qureshi “This year, it’s Ghirardelli dark chocolate with sea salt caramel squares.”