Muslim student association serving thousands of meals during Ramadan at U of M

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This article was published 03/03/2025 (581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The University of Manitoba Muslim Students’ Association is serving more than 7,000 free meals during the month of Ramadan.

“It’s free for anyone who wants to show up to eat,” said Mahedi Hasan, media manager for UMMSA. “Everyone is welcome.”

During Ramadan, which began Friday and continues until March 29, Muslims break their day-long fast every evening at sunset with an iftar, or meal, usually with family and friends, but also with others in the community.

In addition to the iftars at the university, the association will also provide food during suhoor, a sunrise breakfast, during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

This pre-fasting meal could see them providing another 1,000 to 2,000 meals of croissants, honey, cheese and fruit over the 10 days.

Total cost of providing the food might be as much as $50,000, said Hasan, a third-year computer science student from Bangladesh.

The meals are being paid for by donations from students and community members, along with support from local businesses and restaurants and Islamic Relief Canada, the relief and development organization for Muslims in Canada.

The Association is serving the meals as a way to serve the community and practise charity, Hasan said, noting that is especially important during Ramadan when charitable acts are obligatory for Muslims.

As far as Hasan knows, the iftars and suhoors being provided at the University of Manitoba is the largest of their kind at any university in Canada.

“Others might do it once or twice, but not during the whole month of Ramadan,” he said, adding that 85 volunteers have signed up to serve the food.

The iftars at the University of Manitoba start just after 6 p.m. in the Association’s musallah, or prayer space, at the Engineering Information and Technology Complex, room E3-160, 103 Dafoe Rd.

After a prayer, participants will break the fast with dates and then enjoy a mix of Middle Eastern and South Asian fare.

People who want to participate should come early. “It fills up fast,” Hasan said, adding “we especially invite non-Muslims to join us. It shows unity, how we need each other, and coming together as a community.”

The Muslim Association, with between 3,000 and 4,000 members, is the largest student club on the University of Manitoba campus, Hasan said.

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