To learn about Iftaar and Ramadan, several dozen students of different faiths came together Sept. 13 in Mews Hall to pray and eat together. Shawkat M. Toorawa, associate professor of Arabic literature and Islamic studies, together with his wife, Parvine, and daughters Maryam and Asiya, hosted the group in his Mews residence.

Toorawa explained to the group that Iftaar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan, which this year ends Sept. 19. Ramadan is the Muslim holy month of prayers, introspection and fasting during daylight hours.

At the event, dubbed Iftaar on North, Toorawa served the students plates of dates (known as fruits of heaven and reportedly the food that the prophet Muhammad ate to break his fasts) and pastry to break their fast, before the group walked together to Appel Community Center to eat their evening meal.

Toorawa, a faculty-in-residence on North Campus, explained that he planned a series of events for Ramadan, which began the day after the first-year students moved into their residence halls in August.

"I wanted the newly arrived Muslims not to feel at sea when they started fasting the next day," said Toorawa. "So I planned a series of events to cater to needs of Muslims and show that the institution cares about these things."

The final event is an Eid party, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, in 101 Mews Hall.

"Eid al-Fitr -- literally, the holiday of the fast-breaking -- is one of the two Muslim high holidays -- the other being Eid al-Adha, coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage," said Toorawa. "It is celebrated on the first of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan. On Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best -- or new -- clothes, and then attend a special Eid prayer performed in congregation. Come celebrate Eid with the us and Mews and feel free to dress to the nines!"

The events are sponsored by the Mews Faculty Family in Residence and Community Center Programs.