SBU students build community during Ramadan through iftars and campus support

The annual observance of Ramadan marks the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims observe an approximately 30-day period of fasting from dawn to sunset while focusing spiritual reflection and acts of charity. This year, Ramadan began on the evening of Feb. 17 and it will end the evening of March 19. 

During this period, many students balance Ramadan with their daily routines, academics and personal lives. 

However, support for students observing Ramadan at Stony Brook University has expanded through a combination of student-led initiatives and institutional accommodations aimed at helping students balance their religious observance with academic life.

Maaz Salimani, the community outreach chair for the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) and a senior double majoring in biology and psychology, described the work that occurs behind the scenes to help students observe Ramadan.

Salimani said that his responsibilities include directly sourcing and verifying halal food to serve diverse Muslim communities on campus. Halal refers to foods prepared according to Islamic dietary laws, which outline what Muslims are allowed to consume and how food must be handled.

He emphasized that all meat served is Zabiha hand-slaughtered, which is the strictest form of halal.

“Everything that we had sourced came from Zabiha hand-slaughtered meat which [is] a bit more strict about how [people] interpret what halal means, so just to be cautious of everyone’s views, we’re very particular,” Salimani said.

This method follows Islamic dietary law, ensuring the animal is treated humanely and that the blood is fully drained. Each day during Ramadan, students break their fast at iftar, the meal eaten after sunset.

Salimani said the MSA provides iftar platters Monday through Friday to over 110 undergraduate students, with graduate students receiving additional support from the Graduate Student Organization, adding about 30 plates. He explained that students must submit a Google form which opens at 5 a.m. to reserve a plate.

In addition to MSA’s efforts, USG has also expanded initiatives to support students observing Ramadan.

Maryam Elfeky, a USG senator and a senior double majoring in political science and communication, said the organization has shifted its focus this year toward creating more opportunities for students to gather in community during the holy month.

In previous years, USG distributed Ramadan care packages with snacks and basic items for students to break their fast, such as dates which commemorate Muhammad’s tradition of breaking the fast with three dates.

Azeem Siddiqui, a USG senator that specifically represents the Commuter Student Association and a junior majoring in biology, said that because MSA already distributes food plates through its program, USG chose not to organize something too similar.

“Since [MSA was] already hosting those on the same days, it didn’t make sense for two organizations to run identical programs,” he wrote in an email to The Statesman.

Elfeky explained that instead, USG chose to introduce a weekly community iftar series.

“[USG] decided that because Ramadan is so community oriented [and] a time where we’re trying to gather people and build a community […] maybe it’s better [that we] do a sit down community iftar series,” she said.

The weekly iftars, hosted in collaboration with the campus Islamic Society, combine shared meals, guest speakers and a space for students to gather after sunset. Since the start of Ramadan, the iftars have been held once a week.

Elfeky said that each USG-hosted iftar typically serves more than 150 students and has drawn strong attendance from both Muslim students and members of the wider campus population.

She noted that the feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for having a place on campus where they can break their fast together.

“The response [from] students has been very positive,” she said. “This was the first time that we’ve ever done this, but it’s obviously something that we want to do annually.”

Both senators emphasized that their goal was to make the iftar accessible and available to the entire community, regardless of their faith.

“The idea was to welcome [and] to demonstrate that inclusivity on campus means that you’re celebrating and also supporting each other’s traditions,” Elfeky said.

Siddiqui added that a central part of Ramadan is the opportunity to gather and connect with others.

“Whether someone came to observe, ask questions, or simply share a meal with friends, the goal was to create an environment that reflected the values of hospitality, compassion, and unity that are central to not only Ramadan but also what it means to be a Muslim,” he wrote.

Despite these expanded programs, students say challenges remain.

Students face limited dining options on campus that meet their dietary needs, adding to the demand and importance of these platters.

Salimani added that although MSA is grateful for the funding provided by USG through grants, more funding is needed to meet the demand of students.

“We open the form at 5 a.m. and by 5:20 [a.m.], it’s filled,” Salimani said. “There are so many students who still can’t get a platter because the demand is so high,” he said. “[There are] so many times people are always asking me, ‘Hey, is there extra? [I tell them] ‘come back at 6:30 [p.m.]. If there’s any extras, I can give it to you.’”

Students also pointed to space limitations on campus during Ramadan. Mohamed Eltahawy, a freshman majoring in chemistry and a member of the MSA, said the campus Islamic prayer room in the Stony Brook Union basement, can become crowded during peak prayer times.

“The prayer area [is] really small compared to how many people [come pray],” Eltahawy said. “It gets overcrowded and really hot, and [then] we have to open doors; we have to get these fans and whatnot.”

Gareth Shumack, the associate dean of students, wrote in an email to The Statesman that the Office of Student Life has not previously received complaints about the Islamic prayer room.

“To my knowledge, Student Life has not received any complaints from students about the Islamic prayer room, and there are no current plans to expand at this time,” he wrote.

Amy Cook, the vice provost for academic affairs, emphasized that Stony Brook University strives to ensure its students can pursue their education while practicing their faith.

She explained that at the start of each term, the University sends a series of messages to faculty and instructors reminding them of required syllabus statements. 

“That series includes a message about religious accommodations and a request that faculty are mindful of major religious holidays when they set their course schedules,” Cook said.

She added that the Office of the Registrar provides a calendar of religious holidays that fall on class days during the academic year along with guidance on religious accommodations.

“Students are responsible for notifying instructors as soon as possible when they will need to miss a class for religious observance to seek alternate arrangements ahead of time,” she said.

Eltahawy said the University’s support has had a meaningful impact on students observing Ramadan.

“It makes a big difference whenever the professors actually show that they care,” he said. “For example, [my professor] is fasting with us, so she lightens the load of the work a little bit. It’s greatly appreciated.”

Salimani added that this sense of community is especially meaningful for Muslim students at Stony Brook.

“At Stony Brook there’s a huge population of Muslims, whether they’re visibly Muslim [and you see them] actively coming to the prayer room or you see them break open their fast, you don’t feel alone,” he said.

He added that even in moments of exhaustion, hunger or dehydration, observing Ramadan feels better when doing so with others.

“It’s not a chore because you feel like you’re not doing this alone [or] by yourself,” Salimani said. “There’s so many brothers and sisters that are doing this with me.”