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Mediterranean cuisine being served to Muslim community members at UMaine in the North Pod of Memorial Union. Photo by Emily Bontatibus

Photo Story: Ramadan Iftar Meal at UMaine

By Emily Bontatibus on March 31, 2025
Around 40 community members shuffled into the North Pod of the Memorial Union close to sunset on March 26, to break their fast for Ramadan. This event was sponsored by the Office for Community and Connections, funded by the Hamm Grant and organized by the University of Maine’s Muslim Student Association (MSA). According to an interview with MSA Treasurer and Social Media Manager Harris Sial, this is the first time in six to seven years that the club has been able to host an Iftar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Description: A sign hangs in the North Pod of the Memorial Union at the University of Maine to celebrate Ramadan Iftar, it reads “Ramadan Mubarak,” which is a celebratory phrase meaning “Happy Ramadan.”
Around 40 community members shuffled into the North Pod of the Memorial Union close to sunset on March 26, to break their fast for Ramadan. This event was sponsored by the Office for Community and Connections, funded by the Hamm Grant and organized by the University of Maine’s Muslim Student Association (MSA). According to an interview with MSA Treasurer and Social Media Manager Harris Sial, this is the first time in six to seven years that the club has been able to host an Iftar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Description: A sign hangs in the North Pod of the Memorial Union at the University of Maine to celebrate Ramadan Iftar, it reads “Ramadan Mubarak,” which is a celebratory phrase meaning “Happy Ramadan.”
Iftar is the name of the meal that Muslims eat to break their fast. They typically start by eating dates with milk or water, and then move onto a larger meal. This event is meant to be shared with others in the community, as it is a time to collectively celebrate God after fasting to become one with his conscience. Description: Tables in the North Pod of Memorial Union at the University of Maine set up for the incoming Muslim community Iftar with decorations of Ramadan.
Iftar is the name of the meal that Muslims eat to break their fast. They typically start by eating dates with milk or water, and then move onto a larger meal. This event is meant to be shared with others in the community, as it is a time to collectively celebrate God after fasting to become one with his conscience. Description: Tables in the North Pod of Memorial Union at the University of Maine set up for the incoming Muslim community Iftar with decorations of Ramadan.
At 6:45 p.m., 10 minutes before sunset, MSA community member Omar Conteh approached the front of the room to speak on the importance of Ramadan and fasting. “The ultimate goal of fasting is to gain God consciousness,” he said. “Fasting is meant to bring us back to remember God.” By the time his speech was over, families and friends broke their fast by eating dates and drinking water or milk before leaving to pray. Description: Omar Conteh stands in front of the room in the North Pod of the Memorial Union at UMaine addressing attendees ten minutes before they break their Ramadan fast.
At 6:45 p.m., 10 minutes before sunset, MSA community member Omar Conteh approached the front of the room to speak on the importance of Ramadan and fasting. “The ultimate goal of fasting is to gain God consciousness,” he said. “Fasting is meant to bring us back to remember God.” By the time his speech was over, families and friends broke their fast by eating dates and drinking water or milk before leaving to pray. Description: Omar Conteh stands in front of the room in the North Pod of the Memorial Union at UMaine addressing attendees ten minutes before they break their Ramadan fast.
Aissata Diabate, the president of MSA, stated in an interview that “Since most of us are far away from home, this is our family, friends and community. So, it means a lot to see and meet people to break the fast together. It’s a great sense of community.” Description: Aissata Diabate speaking into the microphone to fellow UMaine MSA members in the North Pod at the Memorial Union.
Aissata Diabate, the president of MSA, stated in an interview that “Since most of us are far away from home, this is our family, friends and community. So, it means a lot to see and meet people to break the fast together. It’s a great sense of community.” Description: Aissata Diabate speaking into the microphone to fellow UMaine MSA members in the North Pod at the Memorial Union.
Promptly at 6:55 p.m., participants left the room to pray together in a private location before breaking their Ramadan fast. In a short interview with MSA Secretary Ruba Al Nahari, she said that “This event means we are in the last ten days of Ramadan, and to be able to have everyone here means a lot and gives me a sense of home.” Description: Members of the Muslim community praying in a private room in the Memorial Union at UMaine before breaking their Ramadan fast.
Promptly at 6:55 p.m., participants left the room to pray together in a private location before breaking their Ramadan fast. In a short interview with MSA Secretary Ruba Al Nahari, she said that “This event means we are in the last ten days of Ramadan, and to be able to have everyone here means a lot and gives me a sense of home.” Description: Members of the Muslim community praying in a private room in the Memorial Union at UMaine before breaking their Ramadan fast.
According to MSA member Omar Conteh, to fast during Ramadan does not only mean to fast from food. There is a much deeper fast that one needs to complete to reach God. As he described it, one has to fast each and every limb, including fasting from drama, unhealthy habits or anything else they feel is necessary. Description: Female members of the Muslim community line up to pray in a private room in the Memorial Union at UMaine before eating their Iftar meal.
According to MSA member Omar Conteh, to fast during Ramadan does not only mean to fast from food. There is a much deeper fast that one needs to complete to reach God. As he described it, one has to fast each and every limb, including fasting from drama, unhealthy habits or anything else they feel is necessary. Description: Female members of the Muslim community line up to pray in a private room in the Memorial Union at UMaine before eating their Iftar meal.
After praying, members of the community filtered back into the main event room to enjoy their Iftar and break their Ramadan fast. The food was supplied by community members and a local Mediterranean restaurant in New Veazie, Shamee, according to Ruba Al Nahari. Foods such as chicken shawarma and lasagna were on display for the Iftar meal. Mandi, slow cooked chicken in arabic spices and qatayef, fried pancakes filled with walnuts, coconut and cinnamon were some of the crowd favorites of the Iftar meal. Description: Mediterranean foods line the tables as members of the Muslim community line up to break their Ramadan fast with Iftar at UMaine in the North Pod of the Memorial Union.
After praying, members of the community filtered back into the main event room to enjoy their Iftar and break their Ramadan fast. The food was supplied by community members and a local Mediterranean restaurant in New Veazie, Shamee, according to Ruba Al Nahari. Foods such as chicken shawarma and lasagna were on display for the Iftar meal. Mandi, slow cooked chicken in arabic spices and qatayef, fried pancakes filled with walnuts, coconut and cinnamon were some of the crowd favorites of the Iftar meal. Description: Mediterranean foods line the tables as members of the Muslim community line up to break their Ramadan fast with Iftar at UMaine in the North Pod of the Memorial Union.
People lined up to grab food from the array of choices spread on the table. It is a pillar of the Muslim community to give as much as one can possibly give, even at times of fasting and instability, according to MSA Member Omar Conteh. Description: Muslim community members line up to break their Ramadan fast at UMaine in the North Pod of the Memorial Union.
People lined up to grab food from the array of choices spread on the table. It is a pillar of the Muslim community to give as much as one can possibly give, even at times of fasting and instability, according to MSA Member Omar Conteh. Description: Muslim community members line up to break their Ramadan fast at UMaine in the North Pod of the Memorial Union.
Following the Iftar meal, it is customary to visit family and friends. Many recite the Maghrib prayer after Iftar then complete extra nightly prayers, Tarawih, which are specific to Ramadan. Description: Members of the Muslim community sitting down to enjoy their Iftar meal after breaking their Ramadan fast in the North Pod at the Memorial Union at UMaine.
Following the Iftar meal, it is customary to visit family and friends. Many recite the Maghrib prayer after Iftar then complete extra nightly prayers, Tarawih, which are specific to Ramadan. Description: Members of the Muslim community sitting down to enjoy their Iftar meal after breaking their Ramadan fast in the North Pod at the Memorial Union at UMaine.
After the Iftar meal, Muslims are free to eat and drink until the next day’s fast. This year, the end of Ramadan lands on Saturday, March 29. The end of Ramadan holds the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a three day festival celebrating the breaking of their fast. This includes special prayers, festive meals, visitations of family and friends, charity and exchanging of gifts and greetings. Description: Members of the Muslim community breaking their Ramadan fast at the Iftar meal at UMaine in the North Pod at the Memorial Union
After the Iftar meal, Muslims are free to eat and drink until the next day’s fast. This year, the end of Ramadan lands on Saturday, March 29. The end of Ramadan holds the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a three day festival celebrating the breaking of their fast. This includes special prayers, festive meals, visitations of family and friends, charity and exchanging of gifts and greetings. Description: Members of the Muslim community breaking their Ramadan fast at the Iftar meal at UMaine in the North Pod at the Memorial Union

Published in Multimedia and Photo Stories

Emily Bontatibus

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