Plates of food and conversations filled the tables as hundreds gathered to break their fast March 5. at Brigham Young University’s annual Ramadan iftar.
Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed by Muslims through daily fasting from dawn until sunset along with increased prayer, charity and spiritual reflection. Iftar is the evening meal that breaks the fast at sunset.
Over 500 people attended BYU's fifth annual Ramadan iftar, hosted by the Muslim Student Union and Arab Student Association in the Wilkinson Center Ballroom.
The iftar event held on campus is meant to bring a sense of community for Muslim students while also introducing others in the community to Islamic culture and traditions.
Noureen Salah, the vice president of the Arab Student Association and event planner for the Muslim Student Union, said the event creates a community for the Muslim students at BYU.
“There are very few of us here, but Ramadan is all about community. We want to bring that sense of community to students — especially since many Muslim students at BYU are international students and aren’t able to be with their families,” Salah said.
When the event first began, it was much smaller, but each year, more people from the BYU community started showing up.
“Now we invite more BYU students so they can learn about our religion, where we’re from, and our culture — especially through food,” Salah said. “It’s fulfilling for everyone.”
While the Iftar meal marks the end of each day’s fast, the purpose of Ramadan extends far beyond the evening meal.
Hadeel Al-Madi, a Muslim BYU student, said the month is a time for spiritual growth and improvement.
“We abstain from food and water, and the whole point is to teach patience and increase good deeds like charity and prayer,” Al-Madi said.
She said the fast is intended to help people reflect on their actions and become better individuals.
“If you’re only abstaining from food, then what’s the point if you’re not improving yourself in other ways for God?” Al-Madi said. “You try to swear less, get angry less and become a better person overall.”
For Al-Madi, the month also provided an opportunity to reset spiritually.
“It’s very soul-cleansing. I love it because it feels like a reset every year. It reminds me of God, keeps me grounded and it’s a great time to build better habits,” Al-Madi said.
The evening’s program reflected many of the religious practices associated with Ramadan.
Before the meal began, attendees listened to a recitation from the Quran, Islam’s holy book, followed by the call to prayer and an iftar supplication.
Salah said one of her favorite parts of the evening was seeing attendees participate in prayer together.
“I think one of the highlights is seeing everyone praying or even just watching respectfully,” Salah said. “It’s really beautiful.”
In addition to Muslim students observing the fast, many members of the BYU community attended the event to learn more about Ramadan and connect with others from different cultures and faiths.
Elizabeth Goodrich, an attendee who served a mission in Albania and Kosovo, said the event helped her reconnect with the Muslim culture she experienced abroad.
“Anything that expands cultural perceptions and cultural horizons is invaluable. It also makes the Islamic faith less abstract,” Goodrich said. “Events like this help people see that there’s actually a lot of common ground.”
Mariah Gubler agreed that events like Ramadan iftar help build understanding across religions and cultures.
“BYU can be a pretty homogeneous place in a lot of ways, so highlighting different cultures and religions helps us learn how to better love people,” Gubler said. “When we understand how other people live, think and experience the world, it helps us love them better.”
The attendees of Ramadan iftar were able to share a meal and a community as they celebrated the traditions and beliefs of the Islamic faith.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and shifts earlier each year. In 2026, Ramadan began Feb. 17 and will conclude on March 19.