Ohio State Muslim Students Association Offers Ramadan Celebrations

MSA provides free Iftar meals, prayer services, and community events for Muslim and non-Muslim students during the holy month.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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As Ramadan begins, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at Ohio State University is offering a variety of events and services to help Muslim students celebrate the holy month while away from home. This includes providing free Iftar meals and prayer services each weeknight, as well as hosting community-building activities open to all students.

Why it matters

Celebrating religious holidays and maintaining cultural traditions can be challenging for college students who are far from home. The MSA's Ramadan programming helps foster a sense of community and belonging for Muslim Buckeyes, while also encouraging interfaith and intercultural exchange across the broader student body.

The details

The MSA will offer free Iftar meals and associated prayer services from 6-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the Interfaith Room at the Ohio Union. Last year, the group provided Ramadan catering for about 200 people per night. Outside of Ramadan, the MSA also hosts weekly Friday prayer services and an annual 'fast-athon' where Muslim and non-Muslim students break their fasts together. Throughout the year, the group organizes community service projects and fundraising tournaments to support various causes.

  • Ramadan is expected to begin on Tuesday with the sighting of the crescent moon and last until March 18.
  • The MSA's Iftar meals and prayer services will be held each weeknight from 6-10 p.m. during Ramadan.

The players

Daanish Khan

The president of the MSA and a fourth-year student in computer science and engineering.

Zaid Mustafa

The outreach chair for the MSA and a second-year student in exercise science.

Muslim Students Association

A student organization at Ohio State University that supports the school's Muslim community and promotes interfaith understanding.

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What they’re saying

“We want to provide that to students at least Monday through Thursday, just so that they can kind of have that feeling of being back home.”

— Daanish Khan, President, Muslim Students Association (thelantern.com)

“You feel really connected with the people around you because it's something just as simple as sharing a meal with somebody in front of you. And you're doing that for 15 days, you know, a whole month straight. You get to really connect with people on a personal level.”

— Zaid Mustafa, Outreach Chair, Muslim Students Association (thelantern.com)

“The whole point is that we have people from all different backgrounds, all different religions, all different cultures. But if we don't come together and try to learn from each other's differences, then honestly, we can never really change.”

— Zaid Mustafa, Outreach Chair, Muslim Students Association (thelantern.com)

What’s next

The MSA will continue hosting Iftar meals, prayer services, and other community events throughout the 30 days of Ramadan. The group's upcoming programming and volunteer opportunities will be announced on its Instagram account.

The takeaway

The MSA's Ramadan celebrations demonstrate how student organizations can foster a sense of belonging and cultural connection for religious minority groups on college campuses, while also promoting interfaith understanding and community-building across the entire student body.