Muslim Student Association hosts second Halaqah of Ramadan on campus
Men pray together during the Ramadan Halaqa event at the University Center Terrace Rooms, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Men and women prayed in separate rooms and ate an iftar meal together once completed. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
As the sun set over campus Wednesday night, the attendees of the Muslim Student Association’s second Halaqah of Ramadan gathered in the Terrace Room of the Bovee University Center for a night of spiritual education and community.
Halaqah is an Islamic gathering that includes a study of the Quran, the religious text of Islam, and usually features spiritual discussions and prayer, according to the vice president of the MSA, Syed Zaidi.
“Halaqah is sort of a small circle, a small gathering that used to happen in Middle Eastern countries,” Zaidi said. “And in those countries, people used to discuss topics about how to bring potential benefits to the society, through your actions, through your words, through your donations. Certain actions need to be taken in life as an individual person, to enhance your character and also enhance the society as a whole through your small actions, through your small (kindnesses) and wisdom.”
Central Michigan alumni Munif Hakim speaks to audience members during Ramadan Halaqa at the University Center Terrace Rooms, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Hakim talked about the meaning of Ramadan and the teaching of the Quran. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
Munif Hakim, a Central Michigan University alumnus, led the Halaqah’s discussion. Following a welcome from MSA President Zainab Khan, Hakim spoke about the pressures of Ramadan and the internal struggle that a Muslim individual may face during the Holy month.
Hakim recognized that many attendees may be wondering whether they did enough, charitably or spiritually, throughout the month and emphasized forgiveness when they fell short.
He encouraged them to “not put all of it in one night” and begin their process today.
Charitable giving is an aspect of Islamic culture that is not often discussed among those of different cultures, Zaidi said. He said that Muslims are expected to give 2.5% of their yearly earnings to charity during the month of Ramadan, which supports those who are hungry or in need of lifestyle reformation.
During his lesson, Hakim also spoke about the significance of the night, which is when the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
“How can we not love this night?” Hakim said.
Attendees hold a ruck position during a prayer at the Ramadan Halaqa event at the University Center Terrace Rooms, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The position is achieved by placing both hands on your knees and keeping a straight back. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
One of the spiritual aspects of Ramadan is fasting, in which Muslim people do not eat or drink during the daylight hours of the month. Zaidi said that fasting is an obligatory practice for all Muslims that helps one understand perseverance and sacrifice.
“You have to do it from sunrise to sunset for a whole day and you have to keep making sure that you are feeling the way how people with no food supplies feel, to understand their struggle and their patience,” Zaidi said.
Following a moment of prayer led by Hakim, the attendees of the Halaqah broke their daily fast with dates, the Prophet Muhammad’s preferred method of breaking fast, and water.
The attendees were then invited to partake in the Maghrib prayer, which is the fourth of the five daily prayers of Islam, beginning at sunset.
The Iftar, in which a community breaks their fast together, was served as a buffet. Laughter and subdued chatter could be heard among the attendees, as they filled their plates with items such as rice, chicken, bread, salad and pizza.
Two attendees that were not members of the MSA, Syed Abbas and Ashraf Shittu, said that they enjoyed the community that the Halaqah provided.
An iftar meal is served to attendees after prayers are completed during the Ramadan Halaqa event at the University Center Terrace Rooms, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
“It's nice to know that CMU hosts events like this, because there aren't many hosting communities around here,” Shittu said. “It helps to bring people together and for people to learn more about the Islamic culture and what it's all about.
“Back home, it's things that we do like this together, it's a month of forgiveness and love and every other thing. It's good to feel like this and not be separated, because if there was nothing like this, everybody would probably be having their Halaqa at home.”
Abbas said that he appreciated that individuals from different walks of life were able to gather in one room for a shared purpose.
“We can have different people from the differences of cultures -- some are Asian, some are from African or from Middle Eastern countries," Abbas said. “So we can learn the culture of each, how they perform (Halaqah) in their own countries when we are communicating with them, sitting at the same table. I just hope CMU hosts more events like this.”
The third and final Halaqah and Iftar will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 26 in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.
