Butler Muslim Student Alliance Hosts Annual Iftar Celebration

The event brought together students and community members to break the Ramadan fast and learn about Islamic traditions.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Muslim Student Alliance (MSA) at Butler University hosted its fifth annual iftar event on February 25, where students and community members joined together to break their Ramadan fast. The evening included a presentation on the significance of Ramadan, followed by prayer and a traditional Middle Eastern and South Asian meal. MSA members discussed how Ramadan has helped them grow in their faith and the importance of cultural education on campus.

Why it matters

The iftar event provided an opportunity for the Butler community to learn about and engage with Islamic traditions during the holy month of Ramadan. As a minority student organization, MSA aims to bridge gaps in cultural knowledge and create a welcoming space for Muslim students on campus.

The details

The iftar event featured a presentation on the meaning of Ramadan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Attendees then joined together for prayer and a traditional meal of Middle Eastern and South Asian foods. MSA members spoke about how Ramadan has helped them develop discipline and a deeper connection to their faith and community.

  • The iftar event took place on February 25, 2026.
  • Ramadan is celebrated annually in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

The players

Sahar Atman

A junior biology and Spanish double major and president of the Muslim Student Alliance at Butler University.

Hassan Hashmi

A sophomore healthcare business major and member of the Muslim Student Alliance at Butler University.

Lily Tomlinson

A sophomore biology major at Butler University who attended the iftar event.

Madi Tomlinson

A senior chemistry and Spanish double major at Butler University who attended the iftar event.

Muslim Student Alliance (MSA)

A student organization at Butler University that aims to educate the community about Islamic traditions and provide a supportive space for Muslim students.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of people think [that] when you take something so integral as your food and water away, you're forced to put everything else into perspective.”

— Sahar Atman, President of Muslim Student Alliance (thebutlercollegian.com)

“When you open your mind, and you learn about what different faiths have to say, or what different cultures are about from their own standards and [you are not] projecting your standards onto them, I think you become a much more well-rounded and intelligent individual.”

— Hassan Hashmi, Member of Muslim Student Alliance (thebutlercollegian.com)

“You'll never fully understand all of these cultures around the world unless you get to experience a little part of it. I feel like it's really important, especially with what's going on today, to go out and take the time as college students [to experience other cultures] when the opportunity comes.”

— Lily Tomlinson, Sophomore biology major (thebutlercollegian.com)

What’s next

The Muslim Student Alliance plans to continue hosting the annual iftar event in the coming years, providing more opportunities for the Butler community to learn about and engage with Islamic traditions.

The takeaway

The iftar celebration hosted by the Muslim Student Alliance demonstrates the value of cultural education and creating inclusive spaces on college campuses. By sharing their traditions and inviting others to participate, MSA is helping to build a more informed and connected community at Butler University.