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Muslim students break fast during Ramadan with iftar at Iowa City West
Students lead an evening of faith, fellowship and inclusion in an effort to break down cultural barriers during the month of Ramadan
Apr. 4, 2024 5:00 am, Updated: Apr. 4, 2024 8:20 am
IOWA CITY — Iowa City West High School sophomore Mohamed Elsayd led dozens of his peers and community members in prayer after they broke their daily fast with dates and water in the fourth week of Ramadan Tuesday night.
The iftar — the breaking of fast during Ramadan — was the first event of its kind at the high school organized by students in the Arab Student Union of West High and Mariam Girls’ Club, a Muslim youth club for girls in Iowa City and surrounding areas.
Leading prayer for a group that large was “unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Elsayd said. “It brings me happiness.”
Ramadan is the most holy time of the year for Muslims, marking the historic time on the lunar calendar when they believe God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Quaran, Islam’s holy book.
During Ramadan — which follows the lunar cycle and begins and ends on a different day each year — Muslims fast from dawn until sunset each day, even abstaining from water.
Elsayd said his faith means “everything” to him. “I don’t think I’d be here without prayer. Everything in my life starts with prayer,” he said.
Following the prayer, more than 120 people in attendance dined together on food brought by around 40 volunteers. Those in attendance included Iowa City schools Superintendent Matt Degner, West High Principal Mitch Gross and some Iowa City school board members.
A lot of the food was authentic cuisine from Arabic countries, like stuffed grape leaves made by Shahd Suleiman, 16, a sophomore at West High.
“Ramadan is my favorite time of the year,” Suleiman said. “I try hard to learn more about the prophets and to emulate them.”
Suleiman said her whole live revolves around her faith. As is required in the Muslim faith, she prays five times a day. It helps her feel grounded, she said. At school, there are two offices that are dedicated prayer rooms for Muslim students to use.
Suleiman said the iftar Tuesday was a chance to be in community with other Muslims and educate non-Muslims about their religion.
Suleiman said she feels that West High is fairly inclusive, but that isn’t true everywhere.
A new Pew Research Center survey reports that seven in 10 Muslims have felt an increase in discrimination since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. The share of U.S. adults who say there is a lot of discrimination against Muslims in the U.S. is 44 percent, according to the survey.
The survey was conducted in February among a nationally representative sample of about 12,600 U.S. adults.
“You still face prejudices. It can be hard sometimes,” Suleiman said.
Jinann Abudagga, 17, a junior at West High, agrees that West High feels inclusive. Hosting an iftar for her peers “makes my heart swell,” she said.
“It’s really amazing to see my non-Muslim friends share this moment with me, even though they don’t observe Ramadan. They get to see a little part of my life,” Abudagga said.
Minna Abdalla, 16, a sophomore at West High, said she feels “grateful” to be able to fast during Ramadan. It’s a time when she feels more closely connected to God and his mercy.
Zaina Mohamed, 16, a sophomore at Iowa City Liberty High School, said Ramadan is about letting go of “worldly desires” and strengthening her faith.
Ahmed Elsheikh, 18, a senior at West High, said there’s a misconception that Islam is “violent.” Contrary to that stereotype, Islam advocates for non-violence and peace.
Elsheikh said he likes the “vibes” during Ramadan. It’s a time when his family purposefully eats together. He’s learning to detach himself from material objects and rely on God.
Viana Qadoura, founder and director of the Mariam Girls’ Club, said Ramadan is a time to “root out any evilness, increase good deeds, pray and leave the month more purified and more knowledgeable in your faith.”
“Fasting is a physical aspect, but it is about cleansing yourself spiritually,” said Qadoura, Suleiman’s mother.
Muslim students in school often feel alienated, Qadoura said. Hosting a community iftar is a way to begin breaking down bigotry, she said. She hopes it’s a start to better visibility and inclusion of Muslim people in the community.
“With much work, we can build a better, stronger community,” Qadoura said. “God in the holy book said, ‘We created you different nations and different tribes.’ He did not say, I created you Muslim. It is not about faith. It is about humankind.”
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