Students of various faiths filled Tisch Commons for the Interfaith Iftar, a dinner where Muslim students broke their fasts as student speakers discussed their faiths and fasting customs. Iftar, generally, is a fast-breaking meal during Ramadan.

The event was hosted on March 26 by the Muslim Students Association (MSA) and the Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life (ORSEL).

Ramadan is a holy month of fasting in Islam and is fasted for 30 days. MSA has hosted multiple iftars, night prayers called taraweeh, and social and religious events.

First-year Astou Mbow said that this is their first Ramadan away from family. 

“[At WashU], I eat iftar alone, so coming to this iftar gives me a sense of family,” Mbow said. “For me, the MSA has created a family and given me a sense of home and support.”

Senior Ilyas Mehkri gave a short lecture on Ramadan and its significance to Muslims to begin the event. He said that the month isn’t only about fasting, but also about becoming a better person.

“We try to strengthen our discipline, gratitude, and kindness,” Mehkri said. “Fasting the whole day allows us to appreciate the great blessing that food is, and allows us to empathize with people that don’t have food around the world, so sadaqa, or giving charity, is also key in this time.”

Jacob Schechter, of Orthodox Jewish faith, discussed fasting in Judaism during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Schechter said fasting in Judaism centers around introspection and evaluating your deeds. 

“When we are fasting, we aren’t taking anything out of the world, we’re just existing,” Schechter said. “We use that time to reflect about when we do take things from the world, how we behave when we take them, and it builds an appreciation for that.”

Sophomore Elina Deshpande talked about Hindu fasts, which she said are specific to the gods or goddesses they believe in, and how they represent a “spiritual cleansing of the mind, body, and soul.” 

Sophomore Maile Smits spoke on fasting in the Baha’i faith, which lasts 19 days from sunrise to sunset and ends on Nawruz, the Baha’i New Year. 

“[The fast] is a period of spiritual recuperation that refreshes and reinvigorates the spiritual forces inside the soul,” Smits said.

Sofia Then, a Catholic student, spoke about Lent, which occurs during the 40 days leading up to the day Jesus was crucified.

“Christians are to fast, give alms, and serve the community, essentially honoring and respecting [Jesus’s] legacy,” Then said. 

Reverend Callista Isabelle, a spiritual leader at ORSEL, said that events like the Interfaith Iftar raise the visibility of religious and spiritual diversity on campus.

“They bring students of different backgrounds together in a space where they can build connections,” Isabelle said. “Food builds community.”

Dr. Jacob Chacko, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, said that events like these are great opportunities to establish relationships between people of different faiths and beliefs. 

“Programs like this, where you experience another person’s culture or traditions, bring students together and bridge the community,” Chacko said. “That’s something we need more of right now.”