University community gathers for a Ramadan iftar

On March 6 at 6:28 p.m., University of Calgary students, staff, faculty, alumni and community leaders gathered in the Hunter Hub Student Commons for iftar, or the breaking of the fast during the month of Ramadan. 

Organized by youth, staff, students and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), the gathering was an opportunity for “spiritual pluralism” and “interfaith and intercultural community building in higher education,” says event organizer and emcee, Danial Jamal, BSW'25, inclusive governance co-ordinator with the Indigenous, Local, and Global Health Office (ILGHO) at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM).

The event was opened in a good way by Elder Dr. Kerrie Moore, Hon. LLD'24, whose words emphasized peace, gratitude for the privilege of living outside of war, and prayers for those around the world who are not as fortunate.

“This is a time to know one another, care for one another, and stand for one another,” agreed Jamal in his opening words. “We can’t forget those breaking their fast under violence, displacement, and fear. We pray for them.” 

His opening words also sent prayers to the communities and families of the women whose remains were found in the Prairie Green Landfill in Winnipeg, noting the importance of men holding other men accountable.  

Abdelrahman Alramahi, a fourth-year UCalgary engineering student at UCalgary and one of the organizers of the event, offered a prayer (Du'aa) before the formal call to prayer (Athaan) for sundown (Maghreb). 

The fast was broken with white chocolate and rose petal-covered dates and water. Dates are a common food to break the fast with, as Islamic oral tradition mentions the prophet Muhammad breaking his fast with dates and water.

“One moment that stuck with me was when we made prayers during the evening, including prayers for the people around the world experiencing war and famine, like Palestine and Sudan, it felt real and personal," says Alramahi. "It just reminded me how something as simple as coming together to share a meal can bring people together in a meaningful way. 

“I had the chance to meet so many different people I likely wouldn’t have come across through my regular academic path, which made the experience even more memorable.”

Alramahi is also a facilitator with the Meals That Last program, a men’s cooking program where men gather to share meals and honest conversations about life, relationships, and responsibility. 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. A time for spiritual reflection, additional prayer, and self-improvement, fasting is undertaken from sun up to sundown as a sign of religious devotion and as a spiritual cleanse. Fasting (Sawm) is one of the five core principles of Islam. 

The iftar was attended by several deans and associate deans, as well as politicians such as former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi, BComm'93, now leader of the Alberta NDP party, and Alberta’s Associate Minister of Multiculturalism, Muhammad Yaseen, MEng'96.

“The UCalgary iftar really brings to mind the concept of ‘all my relations’,” says Dr. Shirley Steinberg, PhD, a professor with the Werklund School of Education. “It’s a time to celebrate who we are, meet new people, and reconnect with others.” 

Ramadan ended on March 19 with Eid al-Fitr, a roughly three-day-long celebration marking the end of Ramadan with feasts, family, gratitude and charity.