 "Photo: N/A")
 "Photo: N/A")
Hundreds of students gathered at the Islamic Center of Carbondale Saturday to join as a community and strengthen relationships during the holy month of Ramadan.
Faihan Alqahtani, a junior from Saudi Arabia studying information systems management, said the weekly dinners the Saudi Student Society hosts at the center helps Islamic students feel at home, especially during Ramadan.
“I came to the U.S. for college five years ago and was very homesick,” he said. “The club and dinner helps me form connections with other students so I don’t miss home as much.”
The weekly dinner is held to bring all students together, Alqahtani said. It is open to students of any nationality who want to get a flavor of Middle Eastern culture, beginning with the Sunset Prayer.
Alqahtani said he is usually quite hungry by sunset, because he fasts all day during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. He said Ramadan, a period of fasting from sunrise to sunset, would end Sunday and be celebrated with the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
After Sunset Prayer, Alqahtani said all must refrain from drinking, smoking or swearing until sunrise. Soon after Saturday’s Sunset Prayer, Algahtani said a variety of Middle Eastern dishes were served to about 350 participants.
Thirty SIU faculty members involved in the club cooked the celebratory meal, which consisted of foods such as pasta, rice, soup, chicken and dates. Only women were allowed to cook, because housekeeping is their major role in the Islamic culture said Walaa Alkulid, a former SIUC student who returned to Carbondale to attend and help with the Ramadan feast.
“I assisted for the first time with the dinner this year, because it brings us all together and is a good deed for Allah,” said Alkulid, a junior at Mary University studying foreign relations.
Alqahtani said he always looks to form connections with other students and feels this event can help students learn about each other.
“SIU is the only school I know of which has a program like this for Arab and Saudi students,” Alqahtani said. “Life will become easier for me when I am able to share my language, culture and religion with other students. We are so busy during the school year, so this will be a good chance to spend time with each other.”
Faraj Aldossri, Saudi Student Society president, said he was always bothered by the constant tension between Carbondale’s Islamic and Arab communities. This dinner was born out of his desire to break the barrier of understanding between these cultures, he said.
Alqahahtani said he supported this endeavor from the start.
“It is a good way to spread the messages of peace, hospitality and friendship to all people,” he said. “I love seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces during dinner.”
Alquahahtani said students have accepted and supported this event, but it has not gained much support from the SIUC administration. Alquahahtani said because the Saudi Student Society receives no funding from the Undergraduate Student Government, members had to solicit donations from students in the club to hold the weekly dinner.
“If the dinner was funded, we would be able to share our culture with more people and have a greater understanding of each other,” he said. “This would result in a more unified campus.”
