CAIRO, October 28 (IslamOnline.net) – The Islamic Society of Stanford University (ISSU), in collaboration with Stanford Dinning, an official university body, Muslim students are served iftar banquets on the university campus for the first time this Ramadan, according to a report by a local paper.

According to The Stanford Daily, the ISSU along with the Dinning committee agreed to prepare iftar for Muslim students on the campus of the Stanford University, Florida.

“Stanford Dining has been very cooperative with the ISSU,” ISSU President Ibrahim Almojel told the paper Tuesday, October 26.

He added the idea of the collective iftar banquets was championed by Muslim students.

The iftar banquets, which began with the start of the dawn-to-dusk month Friday, October 15, are open to both Muslim and non-Muslim students, said ISSU Vice President Maham Mela.

“We have Muslims and non-Muslims alike eat with us.”

She added the iftar meals are funded by money raised from off-campus Muslim groups and from private donations.

Mela noted the meals are prepared by the Stanford Dining on weekdays, while Muslim families from the surrounding areas prepare the meals during the weekends.

Last year’s Ramadan, Muslim students used to gather in Escondido Village Center to have their iftar, prepared by off-campus families.

Collective iftar banquets are believed to be a good chance to foster unity between Muslim and non-Muslim students.

“We’re happy to have the dinner (iftar) in the center of the campus, which will foster more unity among the students,” said the ISSU President.

During the rest of the school year, dinning halls of the Stanford University provide halal food for Muslim students.

“We began a partnership with the ISSU many years ago to ensure that they too have access to a quality dining experience,” Acting Director of Stanford Dining Rafi Taherian told The Stanford Daily.