Ramadan 2023

USU's Interfaith Inititative is holding a variety of events to commemorate Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, and charity observed by Muslims. It is held that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this month. It is accompanied by an increased outpouring of zakat, meaning alms-giving, where observant Muslims donate money to the poor. 

Events

  • To-go Iftar meals - starting March 27t
  • Fasting as Devotion Interfaith Panel - April 12th at 6 pm
  • Campus-wide Fast-a-thon - April 13th
  • Keynote Speaker - April 13th at 12 pm
  • Owning Our Narrative: "USU Muslims: Students' Stories" - April 13th at 2:30 pm
  • Owning Our Narrative: "Women and Faith: a Conversation About Leadership" - April 13th at 4 pm
  • Community Iftar - April 13th at 7 pm
  • Peace-building Roundtable - April 14th at 10 am

See below for more information.

To-Go Iftar Meals
Thanks to generous sponsors from across campus, we are excited to offer halal and vegetarian to-go Iftar meals again this year to students who are observing Ramadan!

All meals will be served in to-go boxes in the Student Nutrition Access Center (TSC 332B) between 6:30-7:15pm, Monday through Thursday starting March 27th. Log in to AggiePulse with your A-number and password to find the details and make a reservation. 

If you have an on-campus meal plan and need help with other questions about how your observance of Ramadan impacts this, please e-mail the Director of Dining Services at alan.andersen@usu.edu.

Fasting as Devotion Interfaith Panel
On April 12th, from 6-7 pm, a panel discussion titled "Fasting as Devotion: A Shared Value Across Many Faiths," will be held in the TSC Blue Room. Panel members of multiple religious traditions will share the importance of fasting in their lives and discuss fasting's role as a key part of Ramadan.

Campus-wide Fast-a-thon
On April 13th, in honor of Ramadan, students are invited to participate in a "fast-a-thon" in solidarity with our Muslim students. Typically, monies from meals missed during Ramadan are given in charity to those in need. (The emphasis on charity or "alms-giving" or Zakat is a key pillar of Islam). Participation in the "fast-a-thon" is voluntary and involves abstaining from all nourishment between sun-up and sun-down. More information will be forthcoming.

Keynote Speaker
On April 13th, from 12-1:30 pm, in the Eccles Conference Center Auditorium, there will be a keynote address by Dr. Khaled Beydoun. He will present on Islam, Islamophobia, and their American and Global Intersections, offering remarks about his latest book, exploring the contours of Muslim identity amid the global War on Terror. This will be followed by a conversation between Dr. Beydoun and Dr. Patrick Mason, the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, a Q&A with the audience and a book signing.

Owning Our Narrative - "USU Muslims: Students' Stories"
On April 13th, from 2:30-3:30 pm, the first installment of the "Owning Our Narratives" panel series will be held in the Eccles Conference Center auditorium. In this panel, Muslim students at USU will share their narratives as they speak about their experiences as practicing Muslims both on campus and in Cache Valley.

Owning Our Narrative - "Women and Faith: a Conversation About Leadership"
On April 13th, from 4-5 pm, the second installment of the "Owning Our Narratives" panel series will be held at the Eccles Conference Center auditorium. In this panel, women of faith from multiple religious traditions will speak about their experiences with womanhood and how that intersects with their religious identities, sharing their stories, values, and what being a woman in their religious tradition looks like to them.

Community Iftar
On April 13th, from 7-9:30 pm, the second annual Community Iftar Dinner will be held in the TSC Skyroom. The dinner is free to all and is an opportunity to celebrate the season with our Muslim students and their families but space is limited and tickets to the event must be reserved in advance.

Peace-building Roundtable
On April 14th, from 10-11:30 am, a peace-building roundtable discussion with Prof. Khaled Beydoun and Board-members of the Heravi Peace Institute will be held in the History conference room in the History Department (3rd floor of Old Main). While the conversation will focus on a discussion between the Heravi Peace Institute Board members and Prof. Beydoun, anyone with interest is welcome to attend and listen in. As space is limited, please reserve a spot.