Community Iftar in the Bathhouse

Last Wednesday, April 3, the Muslim Student Organization (MSO) collaborated with the Religious Life Council (RLC) to host a Community Iftar in the Bathhouse in celebration of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. The Community Iftar is an annual event for Muslims to break their fast with friends and recognize this Holy month.  

Maryam Mian ’24, a leader of both the MSO and RLC, explained that the event was intended for Muslim students to celebrate their faith, as well as those less involved to learn more about Muslim  traditions. “I’m Muslim myself and fast every day for my religion, so the event allowed me to share my culture with my friends,” Mian said. “Some of my friends fasted with me and it was so great for them to learn a little bit about my religion and what it means to me.” Mian believed her efforts working with the MSO and RLC to be very successful, as she was “super excited to see so many people supporting and having a great time at the Iftar.”

RLC leader Lilah Firestone ’25 echoed Mian’s sentiments, speaking more to the spirit that participants brought to the event. “There were a lot of students from different cultures there, and a lot of students dressed up for it as well, despite [it] not being their normal clothing,” she noted. Though Firestone is not Muslim herself, she was grateful that the RLC could help host such an event. “[This type of event is] one of the really great things that the RLC does. We love partnering with religious  groups to increase engagement, especially from those others who wouldn’t normally have contact with the religion,” she explained.

Student Council President Bryce Langdon ’24, a participant in the Iftar, enjoyed the celebration as well. As he initially attended to support his friends and observe the celebration, the activities that MSO and RLC organized quickly intrigued him. “I thought it was amazing,” Langdon commented, “They put together a great event every year, and I really loved the food and the programming.” In particular, Langdon remembered eating a date to break the fast, drawing henna tattoos, and learning the history behind the Iftar. 

RLC leader Liza Strong ’24 additionally found the discussions about how “fasting brings members of various religions closer to God and helps them reflect” to be especially “lovely and insightful.”

Looking forward, the MSO hopes to turn the Community Iftar into an annual school-wide event in collaboration with other affinity groups. The memorable Community Iftar connected the Muslim community to the rest of the student body by providing insight into Islamic traditions and allowing the larger Lawrenceville community to celebrate an important religious event.