In the School of Social Work, Muslim students gather to break their fast. The room is filled with laughter, cultural awareness, the aroma of Senegalese food and a sense of community. Tables are decorated with floral arrangements and each place setting includes a small bottle of water and a cup of dates for students to break their fast once the sun sets.
After everyone arrives and breaks their fast, students perform the Tarawih prayer and then eat together.
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) on campus is hosting events to commemorate Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which many Muslims around the world observe through fasting, communal prayer and reflection. Ramadan began Tuesday, Feb. 17.
MSA Treasurer Fatumata Dia, a junior honors political science major from Queens, New York, said preparations for Ramadan begin months in advance on campus.
Because Howard University organizations can only request funding during certain periods, MSA relies on community support to sponsor events throughout the month. The organization sends sponsorship packets to local masjids, alumni, families and students.
“Thank God we were able to get enough sponsorships to feed our large Muslim community on Howard’s campus for free, if not every night,” Dia said.
Hosting Iftar also requires many helping hands, which Dia said the organization never lacks during Ramadan. As students observe the holy month, they use the time to come together and practice generosity.
“The amount of generosity that exudes from the Muslim community, especially during Ramadan, is a beautiful thing to see,” she said. “Everyone is always willing to help.”
Muslims traditionally break their fast with family or in group settings. Although many students are away from home, they are still able to gather and share meals together.
Alia Abdo, a freshman economics major from Atlanta, said joining MSA helped her find another family during Ramadan and throughout her Howard journey.
“I feel so close-knit with a lot of them, it really feels like family,” Abdo said. “It’s the same traditions we would have at home, so I still have that sense of home here.”
Hamid Kabia, a junior computer science major from Woodbridge,Virginia, echoed the welcoming nature of Muslim students, even for students like him who did not grow up Muslim.
When he first attended MSA events as a freshman, Kabia said being around the organization’s brothers made him feel imposter syndrome. However, he said they welcomed him and helped him grow in his understanding of his faith.
“I was a little embarrassed, like, ‘I’m not like y’all. Y’all grew up with this. Y’all know everything,’” Kabia said. “But it’s never like that. The brothers are always trying to bring more people into the community and show people the beauty of Islam.”
Khayri White, a junior computer engineering major from Baltimore, Maryland, is this year’s MSA president. He said the community, especially during Ramadan, means a great deal to him because it helped him find his place on campus.
“Being able to have Muslim companions who encourage each other to grow in our faith, get closer to God and still enjoy life in the process means a lot,” White said.
White joined MSA during his freshman year and quickly learned that he did not need a position of power to serve his community. He said what mattered most was finding ways to establish his religion on campus, which also inspired him to support other communities in need.
During Ramadan, MSA hosts several events, including Iftar three times a week, weekly Quran reading circles and halaqah twice a week, where an imam or scholar speaks on various topics throughout the month.
Safe prayer gathering of students at a Muslim student Association gathering (Photo courtesy of the Muslim student Association)
“We gear our events toward Muslims because we want to provide for our community,” White said. “But we also open our space to everyone.”
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Sunday, March 15th 2026 at 2:21PM
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