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Community iftar fosters the links
of brotherhood and sisterhood amongst Muslims, especially those
away from their families.
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LONDON — Everything about the holy fasting month
of Ramadan, which began …, has a unique meaning for British Muslims,
living under fear and constant distress since last year's 7/7 bombing
attacks.
Though iftar banquets are a typical Ramadan feature
in almost any place of the world where Muslims live, including Britain
itself, they hold an additional, special importance for Muslim
students in British universities.
"It is a chance to meet new Muslim sisters
especially those who are new to Cambridge," Amira, a medical
student at Cambridge University and one of the first volunteers to
provide Ramadan meals for fellow female Muslim students, told
IslamOnline.net.
Every year, Muslim students at Cambridge
University, like colleagues in other universities, take turns in
providing meals for other students.
"The Muslim community in Britain is so diverse
and this includes the students who come from various ethnic and
cultural backgrounds," she noted.
"We share recipes and get acquainted with the
traditions of each other’s country of origin. After iftar we all
pray together and do things like discussions or question and answer
sessions afterwards."
Amira sses the Islamic Society Mailing List to get
the invitation out to all the female students in the university.
Based on how many replies she gets, she decided on
how much food would need to be prepared.
Most student societies in UK universities keep in
touch through a mailing list which keeps them updated about the
various events and activities taking place on their campus.
The Islamic Cultural Centre in London has declared
Saturday, September 23, as the start of Ramadan based on moon
sightings in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
The Ruiyate Hilal committee representing mosques in
Balham, Croydon, Norbury, Streatham and Tooting, and also ulama
councils in other cities including Birmingham and Manchester, have
announced Sunday, September 24, as the first day of fasting.
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and
those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink,
smoking and sex.
Britain is home to an estimated 1.8 million
Muslims, most of them are of Pakistani and Indian origin.
New Friends
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Ramadan programs are a golden
chance for many to make new friends.
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Islamic student societies, established to provide
an attractive Islamic environment in which Muslims can practice Islam,
improve the understanding of Islam and promote brotherhood and unity
of all Muslims on campus, organize special Ramadan programs.
"All year around the society organize talks,
circles for both men and women and educational and fun activities for
kids," said Mahmoud Hamid from Manchester University Islamic
Society.
"But as Ramadan approaches, the focus of those
talks changes to reflect the occasion."
The society which runs two on campus mosques
anticipates about 700 people daily to come for iftar, which normally
consists of a curry dish, salad and a drink or a piece of fruit for
each person.
"We essentially rely on donations collected
throughout the year," said Mahmoud.
Such initiatives fosters the links of brotherhood
and sisterhood amongst Muslim students, especially as they celebrate
the holy month away from their families which usually either live in
different UK cities or even overseas.
"I really enjoy going to the mosque for iftar
and prayers especially when I am feeling," Mayyada, a student
originally from Egypt and specializing in engineering, told IOL.
"Meeting other fellow Muslims really help to
overcome my feeling of homesickness," she said, spending her
fourth Ramadan away from her family.
"It is a good place to get to know people from
your university," agreed Ahmed, another student who comes from
Bradford.
"I have made many new friends during iftar.
"We are very grateful for the amazing work the
Islamic society does in Ramadan, since otherwise we would be just
eating takeaways in our rooms or have to go out to expensive
restaurants to eat."
Get-togethers
With volunteering activities flourishing during
this blessed month, other volunteers chose to organize religious study
circle and discussions.
Samira, 24, a university student of Pakistani
origin has volunteered to organize weekly circles in her house for
fellow female students and chose a time whereby attendants break fast
together.
"Sometimes the prayer room can get a little
small when there’s too many sisters and plus there are also many
sisters who cannot make it there," she said of the reason for
organizing the religious study circle in her home.
"During Ramadan there are probably many
circles and get-togethers taking place which will be very refreshing
for all sisters."
Samira believes this will "foster unity
amongst us especially during this blessed month."
Many started the circles weeks ahead of Ramadan to
prepare themselves for the holy month.
A circle held last Wednesday dealt with, inter
alia, how students can juggle their worship while being busy with
their academic work.
"I was looking forward to this month",
said Eman, 22, who attended the circle.
She had started preparing for Ramadan a few weeks
ago by trying to be closer to Allah through extra prayers, reading the
Noble Qur'an and donating money to the local mosque to help cover the
costs community iftars.
