WAUKEE, Iowa — Waukee High School students hosted a Ramadan celebration on Friday night, introducing their friends and classmates to cultural practices.
Ramadan, a sacred month dedicated to fasting, reflection and prayer for Muslims, requires followers of Islam to fast from sun up to sun down each day.
Since the holy month began on March 10, Waukee Community School District campuses have been offering accommodations for students who participate.
At Waukee South Middle School, those accommodations include alternative lunchtime locations — so fasting students aren't required to sit in the cafeteria — as well as alternative P.E. activities to avoid over-exerting those who are fasting. School officials also provided rooms to allow students to pray during designated times in the day.
For Waukee High School students Maryum Khan and Mais Homedan, the event was a fun, educational way to explore culture with their classmates.
"We held this event specifically because as Muslims, when growing up, we didn't see many conversations or celebrations regarding our faith," Khan said. "So we decided that, this year, we should maybe do a educational event about Ramadan, since not many people are knowing of it."
With cultural competence and open mindedness as the mission of the meal, the students are hoping to set an example for generations of Iowans to come.
"This event is especially important to have at the high school, like specifically because a lot of these students, you know, they they're our future. And if we want our future to have understanding, open minded society, then we need to educate our younger generation first," Homedan added.
Both students said they hope their dinner inspires other schools to hold similar events.