½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏMuslim Student Association treasurer Luqman Atanda and president Ismail Mohamed.
½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏMuslim Student Association treasurer Luqman Atanda and president Ismail Mohamed.
14 July 2014

Enjoy sweet dates, spicy foods and exotic sweets while learning more about Muslim culture at ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹϒs Muslim community’s Big Iftar feast on 23 July at UQ’s Grace College.

The University of Queensland Muslim Students Association will host the Big Iftar Sunset Feast as part of Ramadan, a month long religious event eagerly celebrated by more than a billion Muslims worldwide.

Muslims fast for 30 consecutive days from dawn until sunset during the lunar month of Ramadan, which falls this year from 29 June to 29 July.

Traditionally, the fast is broken with a family or community meal at sunset

President of the ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏMuslim Student Association and ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏPhD student Ismail Mohamed invited the ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏcommunity to join the association in celebrating Ramadan by sharing a free Iftar meal.

 “We have been hosting the Ramadan Big Iftar Sunset Feast event since 2009, in order to open up our doors and build relationships with the greater University community,” Mr Mohamed said.

“The feast is an excellent opportunity to meet in a relaxed, social atmosphere, discover spiritual culture, meet fellow ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏMuslim students and share in the special occasion.

“The event celebrates diversity, harmony, friendship, warmth and spirituality, and offers a rich mix of local and international culture.”

The ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏMuslim Student Association was established in the 1970s to cater for the needs of the Muslim community at UQ.

“The world we live in is a global village and we interact with each other in business, societal, political and many other spheres,” Mr Mohamed said.

“It's essential, therefore, to understand each other to enhance the social bond and workplace relations.

“Events that involve the wider community help us learn about each other, discover amazing similarities and important differences, and pave the way to engage in a harmonious, fruitful and holistic way.”

The event is supported by The ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏAdvantage Office Sponsorship Grant scheme. Entry to the event is free and bookings are required.

To find out more, visit www.msauq.org.au

Media:  Ismail Mohamed, 0406 629 129, i.mohamed@uq.edu.au; Belinda Brear, ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏAdvantage Office, 07 3365 2929, b.brear@uq.edu.au