Students celebrate Ramadan Iftar on Campus with MSA and SET

By The Argo on March 25, 2024

Written for The Argo by Iman Ahmed

The Muslim Student Association held an Iftar dinner in the Event room, on March 18. This event was in collaboration with the Student Entertainment Team (SET), Lambda Theta Alpha, Lamda Theta Phi, Mu Sigma Upsilon and Chi Upsilon Sigma. This was held for students to learn more about the month of Ramadan.

The event began with a recitation by Saami Rahman, one of the two religious chairs of the Muslim Student Association. He recited Surah Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran. Soon after, Umaima Rabby, the second of the two religious chairs of the Muslim Student Association began to introduce the speakers, as well as representatives of the State who attended the event in support.

Students enjoying the artistic stations during the event. Photo Courtesy of Iman Ahmed.

The speakers were Imam Riyad of the Al-Bayaan Islamic Learning Center and Imam Amin Muhammad of Masjid Muhammad. In attendance at the event were Izzy Chowdury from Homeland Security, Trooper Mudduser Malik from the NJ State Police, Yolanda Melville from the NJ Attorney General’s office, Raymond Royster, Deputy Director of Community Engagement at the Attorney General’s Office, and Zainab Syed from the Department of the State’s office of faith-based initiatives.

President Joe Bertolino also attended the event to support the Muslim students as well as to learn about the holy month of Ramadan. He said “I came here today to learn a little bit more about Ramadan.” He encouraged students to speak to him about any concerns as well as to help him learn more about the religion and the different cultural practices. He ended his remarks by wishing everyone a Ramadan Mubarak.

Imam Riyad opened his speech with a recitation of Surah Rahman, the 55th chapter of the Quran, to then explain in his speech the importance of the Surah. He informs on how the meaning of the name Rahman is Merciful and this is how Allah (God) identifies himself. He further explains the mercy of God, informing of how Muhammad (PBUH) said that Allah created mercy of 100 parts and He holds 99 parts of the mercy, revealing only one part of it to the creation. Allah’s mercy extends to animals and plants, as it covers all of his creation.

The speakers, Imam Amin (left) and Imam Riyad (right) inform attendees about the importance of the holy month of Ramadan. Photo Courtesy of Iman Ahmed.

Imam Amin then began hid lecture about mercy during the month of Ramadan. He shared a verse saying, “Its [the month of Ramadan] beginning is Mercy so these first ten days, we should look at it as whatever we’re going through in life, the challenges, Allah SWT has extended in these first ten days abundant mercy to relieve you of all your burdens”. He explained how important it is for believers to pray for mercy, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. As the 30 days of Ramadan separate into three parts, the first 10 days, or the first Ashra are the days of Mercy. He went on to share a story of when he was observing Ramadan as a child going to school in Atlantic City and the differences to the present day. He said, “I was the only Muslim in the school that was an outward practitioner. I couldn’t pray in the school, fasting was difficult, and I remember getting suspended just because I wanted to pray. And I look now, some 40 years later, and I see these types of gatherings and I think of the mercy of Allah SWT”. He reminded the attendants of the event to appreciate this mercy as many people do not have it. Not many people are able to outwardly practice their beliefs without consequence.

The speakers concluded their presentations by making a dua (prayer) before opening their fasts with dates. The Muslim attendants of the event then prayed the evening prayer in congregation, before the dinner. The Iftar dinner was catered by Nizams. There were also stations provided to make decorative Ramadan scratch cards as well as to create dua books.

Saami Rahman, a board member of the Muslim Student Association shares his feelings on the event. “The event was great. We had the president come out, we had many members of the community come out, and the turnout was absolutely amazing. We had great food, great speakers, it was a great event overall.”

President Joe Bertolino attends the event in support of the Muslim students on campus. Photo Courtesy of Iman Ahmed.

“I was here to represent the prosecutor’s office today. We love to represent events across interfaith and all cultures, especially during the month of Ramadan. We do so to promote unity and solidarity through learning about other cultures, and to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the Muslim community. The Iftar dinner put on today was such a tremendous show of culture and the turnout was incredible. We hope to continue to work with the Muslim Student Association of Stockon University in the future”. Shavonne Davis, Director of Community Outreach at the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.

“I was able to attend the Ramadan Iftar hosted by the Muslim Student Association and it was such an amazing, outstanding, and emotional event. I was a student at Stockton, graduating class of 2005 and to see the transition of the cultural awareness and diversity from Stockton then till now is so amazing. Congratulations to the Muslim Student Association and all the other organizations that helped put on this event because it shows the true diversity of Stockton”. Royster told The Argo.