Hassaan Asif is a second-year Dal student from Pakistan studying Computer Science. He is a member of the Dalhousie Muslim Students' Association's executive committee.
Many Muslims around the world came together virtually with their communities this year during the holy month of Ramadan to take part safely in spiritual practices during the pandemic.
Members of the Dal community gathered online last Friday evening for a virtual Iftar organized by Human Rights and Equity Services (HRES) and the Dalhousie Muslim Students' Association (MSA). An Iftar is an evening ritual in which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast together and take part in a meal.
Although virtual, this year’s Dal Iftar — the third annual — helped rekindle the community spirit that is vital to Ramadan by bringing people together to form new friendships and connections.
Attendees heard insights from a local Imam and followed along as a member of the MSA recited verses about Ramadan from the Holy Quran before then excusing themselves from their screens to break the fast.
Following this opening portion of the event, participants engaged in a round of Ramadan-themed trivia that involved answering a few questions about the spiritual period and Islam more generally. The trivia served as a great demonstration of shared understanding of spirituality.
After a short prayer break, attendees reconvened — only this time in breakout rooms with members of the MSA. It was here that people got to meet each other and form new friendships and connections. There were attendees from various countries and backgrounds talking to each other, giving a true sense of a global Muslim community.
With people isolating from each other due to the pandemic, the Iftar was one way to help rekindle the community spirit that is so vital to Ramadan.
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