'Iftar is the fastest selling out event we organise'

Three long tables were set up in the Educatorium last Monday. The buffet consisted of an Afghan meal, which included the rice dish Kabuli Pulao, with eggplant, chicken and minced meat, a delicious Firni, and a custard dessert, accompanied by Turkish and Moroccan tea. Some 80 students and 20 faculty members participated in the event, which celebrated Iftar, the meal Muslims eat together after sunset during Ramadan. The attendants included Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Joint forces
The meal was organised by the Utrecht Pharmaceutical Student Association, Unitas Pharmaceuticorum (UP), as well as the Islamic Student Association (Insan) and the Utrecht branch of the International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA).

The idea came about a few months ago when UP's assessor, Rachel Verbeek, knocked on the door of Pharmacy lecturer Sonja El Yandouzi, asking how to reach students from different backgrounds.

The event aimed to “build bridges between different UU students,” El Yandouzi says. It allows Muslim students and staff to feel recognised and non-Muslim students and staff to learn about Islam and Ramadan in an accessible and convivial way. This is a dream come true for El Yandouzi. “Twenty years ago, when I studied here, people didn't pay that much attention to diversity. I had been toying with the idea of organising something around Ramadan for years, and now we have managed to make this happen. Now we can say to our students and staff: 'We see you, we take you into account.'”

Funding could be arranged thanks to a collaboration between the student associations, the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI Science) committee of the Faculty of Science.

Ramadan in practice 
This edition had a special feature: a lecture held before the meal. Theologian Bahaeddin Budak, co-founder of the Islamic Theological Faculty in Amsterdam, gave a lecture about the meaning of Ramadan, while Prem Adhien, a lecturer in Pharmacy and public pharmacist, provided insights on Ramadan and medication use, based on case studies of patients with Type 2 Diabetes. What should pharmacists do when a patient is being treated for diabetes and wants to fast while taking the medicines?

Students were impressed. “It is fascinating to see that both Theology and Pharmacy could be discussed, something that I had not thought about or been exposed to before,” said Katya Karamycheva, a 21-year-old Pharmacy student.

David Zhang, a first-year medical student and Intern Vice-President at IFMSA-Utrecht, also appreciated how culturally broadening the lectures were. He also thinks they were inspiring for his future career as a healthcare provider. “I already knew some things about the medical side of fasting, but little about Islam,” he said. He says the lecture prompted him to think “about the diversity of patients I will encounter later.”

Broadening horizons 
Student Association Insan has been organising its own Iftar for years. “Every year, our Iftar is the fastest-selling event. It has become a true tradition,” said Amine Lakhal, Insan's president.

This time, tickets sold out in no time and many people approached them after tickets had been sold out to ask if there were any still available. Lakhal: “To say that there is a lot of demand for this is an understatement.” By partnering with UP and IFMSA for the first time, Insan hopes to engage the relatively large but not very active group of Muslims within the UP student body. 

Sevval Turan, a secretary for Insan, confirms the event's importance. “Educational institutions and universities have been organising Iftars more often, but at UU it had only been done to a limited extent, even though such initiatives can contribute immensely to student wellbeing and an inclusive climate on campus. After all, it makes Muslim students from all over the country feel at home on campus, and it is a great way to introduce non-Muslims to Muslims and Islam. This way, you can also make sure that staff and students broaden their horizons.”

'Building bridges between cultures'
Back at the table, the students are having a good time. First-year Pharmacy student Riyanto Sodihardjo (18) does not usually fast, but he did so today. “I thought it would be cool to fast once. I had always wanted to do that, but it's not the same as fasting for weeks. This is very special.” 

First-year Pharmacy student Sarvin Khattat (19) does fast, so she always looks forward to Iftar, “but since we had those informative lectures first, the time flew by!”

UP board members and three of El Yandouzi's colleagues participated in Ramadan for several days because of the event. Doing so brought them closer and made them understand people who fast better. “It's a nice gesture, a sign that people acknowledge each other,” El Yandouzi believes.

Valuable
Nefise Çelebi looks proudly over the lively crowd sitting at the tables decorated with lights and balloons. “Normally, Iftars are held at home or outside with friends. Hosting Iftar on campus allows students to experience this feeling of togetherness with fellow students. It's so valuable to be able to create such an environment for them on campus.”

All in all, the organisers and attendees look back on Iftar with satisfaction. At the end of the evening, while enjoying a delicious baklava, they were already talking about organising another Iftar together next year. El Yandouzi: ”After all, it is important to seek understanding and connection with each other, especially in times like these.”