PWHS Muslim Student Association hosted potluck iftar during Ramadan 

The Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) Muslim Student Association (MSA) members recently had a chance to connect with each other during the month of Ramadan through a potluck iftar held at the school. 

Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar and lasts 29 or 30 days. During this time, Muslims fast through the daylight hours, which start after the pre-dawn meal of suhur. Iftar is the second meal of the day and begins after sundown. The potluck at PWHS included a selection of cultural and traditional foods that the students shared with their friends.

“Ramadan is a month that celebrates unity within the Muslim community and encourages people to come together,” said PWHS senior and club leader Judy Hafez. “This event embodied these principles and allowed Muslim students to build friendships and discuss shared values.” 

The evening also included the fourth and fifth prayers that Muslims pray daily, as well as a presentation by guest speaker Eslam Rakha from a local masjid, or mosque, who spoke about the holy month and how each person could make the most of their Ramadan observance.

The MSA felt the night was a huge success. “It offered Muslims in the Colonial School District a chance to celebrate their religion with others and feel recognized in their community,” said Judy. 

This year, Ramadan began the evening of February 28. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long observation and literally means “festival of breaking the fast”.