Creighton’s Muslim Student Association went all out last Sunday for its end of Ramadan barbecue and social in the Opus Hall

community room.

The barbecue was organized to celebrate the end of Ramadan, a 30-day period of fasting observed by Muslims around the world. During daylight hours, followers abstain from eating food and drinking water to focus and reflect more on their spiritual lives.

“It’s really hard,” said Arts & Sciences sophomore Zoha Haroon, MSA event coordinator. “You have to be really focused and know that you are not just doing this

for yourself.”

MSA organized events at Creighton throughout Ramadan, including weekly iftars (the breaking of the fast after sunset) every Wednesday night throughout the month. Sunday’s barbecue was the first one the association held to celebrate the end of Ramadan, but members hope to make it an

annual tradition.

“It’s really fun to meet new people and to introduce people to the Muslim faith,” Zoha said. “We love sharing our food, our time and our culture with everyone.”

Roughly 30 students are actively involved in MSA, which sponsors events and works to educate non-Muslims about Muslim culture. The group is open to all Creighton students – not just those who are Muslim. In fact, almost one-third of the group is non-Muslim.

“Non-Muslims are always welcome at our events; we love to talk with them and share our faith with them,” said Arts & Sciences sophomore Maha Haroon, MSA secretary.

MSA is a growing organization. With goals of building bridges of understanding and giving students a sense of belonging, members of MSA are working to improve the membership and to develop the role of the group in the Creighton community. The executive team hopes to use other events like the barbecue in the future to spread the word about MSA and to encourage Creighton students of any religious persuasion to come and share their time and culture.

“For the Muslim Student Association, it is very critical [to encourage understanding], considering the times we are living in now,” said Dr. Naser Alsharif, faculty moderator

of MSA.

“It is also important for future Muslim students, the Creighton community and for meeting the mission of the University to make a difference in the world, celebrate our diversity and pursue the truth in all its forms.”