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Ramadan is a holy month of spiritual development, worship, reflection, and fasting for Muslims. Muslims who observe Ramadan do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset each day, with some exceptions made for health reasons, young children, and the elderly. This year, the month of Ramadan will occur between late March and late April. In recognition of this, a “Build-Your-Own Sahoor” station will be established on campus, which will be available throughout Ramadan during C4 regular hours. The sahoor meal is eaten before dawn to prepare for the fast and typically includes protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables.
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) collaborated with BUDS, the university’s food service provider, to build the station. The MSA and BUDS hope that the “Build-Your-Own Sahoor” station will provide Muslim students with halal food options in the dining hall, expanding their meal choices. The MSA and BUDS aim to minimize food waste by allowing students to select what they would like to include in their meal kits from the halal cold food items.
The MSA will also provide dates, commonly used by Muslims to break their fast, to anyone who attends the iftar dinner, the meal eaten after the sun has set. Iftar dinners have been funded by the MSA in previous years and will continue this year. Along with the meal kits, the MSA is planning collaborations with local restaurants to provide meals for students to break their fasts with.
The meal kit has not been finalized yet, but the MSA and BUDS are working hard to make it happen. Salman Sheikh, a freshman majoring in psychology, expressed excitement about the program, saying, “I’m glad that the campus is trying to accommodate all of their students. I really hope that they finalize the project.”
This program is the first time that the university has implemented programs to accommodate fasting Muslim students who depend on BUDS for food, according to the MSA. The MSA and the Student Culinary Council (SCC) have been working together to make sure that this project is a success. The MSA is also working with Off College Campus Transport (OCCT), BU’s student-run bus service, and the Student Association to take students to and from Taraweeh prayers and to host a celebration of Eid for interested students.
Hannah Chang, an undeclared freshman, is looking forward to the halal food options in the dining hall, even if it is only a temporary installment. She believes that it will help expand her options when deciding what to eat. The MSA and BUDS hope that this program will make it easier for Muslim students to observe Ramadan while on campus and feel more supported by the university.
