April 25, 2024
Meghan O'Toole
Re-creating home: students, professor break Ramadan fast together
Ramadan is the holiest month for Muslims across the world. For many of Lake Forest College's international students, being away from home during this time can be especially challenging. Visiting Instructor in Mathematics Suha Dajani recreated that sense of home by hosting Iftar for students on two occasions this month.
Dajani set out to create a sense of home on campus for students by hosting Iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal during Ramadan. Dajani cooked traditional dishes from her home country, Palestine, for over 25 students. The group enjoyed grape leaves and maqlouba, soup, Fattoush, and dessert.
“In our religion, we feed the poor and invite friends and family during Ramadan to our house to have Iftar with us,” Dajani explained. “I thought that Lake Forest students are more important to prepare food for than my friends this year since students' families are often far away, and I believe they miss their moms’ food.”
Twelve students gathered to roll the grape leaves the day before the shared meal. Dajani cooked the grape leaves and maqlouba at home. After the meal, the group enjoyed making Qatayef sweets, which is similar to pancake batter but stuffed with walnuts or cheese. Students also enjoyed dates, apple pie, fruits, and coffee.
“We had a wonderful night. Everyone felt at home because many of them are international students who are away from their parents,” Dajani said. “I did this from the bottom of my heart because I feel like they are my own children. Many of them video-called their parents, who were super happy to see us doing this. The families were so grateful we organized this.”
Saif Aldeen Shahin '24, an economics major with a minor in computer science, is from Jordan and Palestine. He felt that this gathering made Lake Forest feel more like home.
“We also got to have a table where we could sit together and listen to music and share an intimate time. It was fabulous,” Aldeen Shahin said. “Everybody was sharing laughter. People were having conversations as if it was the most fun we could have. People were dancing. Looking at everyone's faces, we could all see that students were trying to create an atmosphere similar to home at Lake Forest College. You could feel the genuine smiles straight from the heart. It was simply good vibes.”
Armin Kalfic '27, a first-year student from Bosnia and Herzegovina, was thrilled to find this kind of support from peers and a professor on campus.
“I wasn't aware at all that things like this happen on campus. Both students and professor made sure the food was amazing,” Kalfic said. “I expected all the people there to be Muslim, but I met people who are not Muslim and just came to support their friends. This Ramadan, some of my own friends fasted with me to support me and see if they could make it. It was such a pleasant experience because after such a long time of not being back home, seeing that sense of community and family as we all ate together warmed my heart.”
For Kalfic, the best part of the evening, which was hosted in Brown Hall, was simply talking and sharing the moment with the others present.
Dajani ensured that no one in attendance left hungry. She also provided each student food for the morning, even if they were not fasting, encouraging them to share the food with friends.
“Before Iftar, we prayed for the people in Gaza who live in tents and do not have enough food to break their fast,” Dajani said.
Ten days later, Dajani invited 22 students to gather at Noon O Kabab in Highwood for a second Iftar. “We returned back to campus and made Qatayef, coffee, and tea. We all had good time together,” Dajani added.
This is not the first time Dajani has shared Iftar with students. She did the same two years ago. This time, however, more students joined.
“I need people to understand what kind of person Professor Dajani is. She is almost like a mom figure to me,” Kalfic said. “She understands the feeling of being far from home. She noticed I was feeling down during Ramadan, and she went out of her way to invite me to this Iftar.”
Students' families wished for Dajani's health. “Dua' is asking god for health for you. This is what the families wished for me. Because I am a mother, I can imagine that if my son is away, I would like to see someone doing a similar thing for him. Most students' parents know me by now. I don't act as an educator only, but also as a mother to all.”