By Lauryn Jelsema, Culture Editor
On Feb. 25, the Aquinas Office of International Programs and the Aquinas Multicultural Club held a special Ramadan dinner at The Moose.
“This event is about coming together, discovering a tradition, and sharing a meal that highlights community, gratitude, and culture,” said the multicultural club in an Instagram post. This is the fifth consecutive year for the event.
A variety of Middle Eastern foods were served at dinner, and a number of staff and students attended. Dates were handed out before the meal began, as they are typically ingested before breaking fast during Ramadan.
Aseel Jadallah, an AQ senior, gave a brief speech about Ramadan’s meaning for her as a Muslim student, followed by a question and answer session.
Jadallah addressing Ramadan dinner attendees – Photo by Liv LaMontana
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a holy period of fasting. It is a time for self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and prayer.
Ramadan rules center on fasting from dawn to sunset, abstaining from smoking and sexual relations, and are advised to refrain from negative behaviors such as lying or gossiping to foster spiritual discipline and closeness to God.
Though Jadallah cannot partake in the traditional fasting of Ramadan because she is a diabetic, she chooses to participate in other ways.
“I can still fast with the words I am speaking, what I am looking at with my eyes, what I am hearing, what I am doing with my hands,” said Jadallah.
Many members of the AQ community who came out to the event expressed their support of holding an event that was centered around the culture of muslim students.
“Coming together to support one another and share a meal together, even though we don’t all share the same faith tradition or beliefs, is truly what community here at Aquinas is all about. I feel privileged to have been a part of the celebration,” said AQ’s campus ministry director Mike Ingram.
AQ’s Director of International Programs Hannah Bechtold, Jadallah, and Ingram – Photo by Liz LaMontana
The Saint 