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More than 250 people packed the McBride Gathering Space on April 2 for an engaging and educational presentation about Eid al-Fitr, before spilling out onto Phi Beta Kappa Commons to enjoy a festive evening filled with food, traditional music, and henna art.

Students, faculty, staff and community members—many dressed in colorful and festive attire—came together in a spirit of joy and unity. As they shared in food, fun, and fellowship, attendees learned about the significance of Eid, the values it upholds, and the central role of family and community in its celebration.

Eid al-Fitr is the holiday celebrated by Muslims at the end of the month of Ramadan. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, breaking the fast with a meal known as Iftar. This year, throughout the month, ���ϲ����� community was invited to participate in a variety of Ramadan-related events that offered opportunities to learn about Muslim practices, build connections and share in meals together.

The event began with a presentation led by Truitt Center Multifaith Interns Miri Pottebaum ’27 and Lauren Bedell ’26, who shared the history and traditions of Eid. Guests also heard words of welcome from Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life, and reflections from Associate Chaplain for Muslim Life Imam Shane Atkinson, Associate Professor of Anthropology Mussa Idris, President of the ���ϲ����� Muslim Society Fatmata Bah ’26, and Sandy Marshall, Burlington Masjid board member and associate professor of  geography.

“Eid is a day spent with family and friends,” said Imam Atkinson. “Many students’ families are out of state or overseas, and they aren’t able to be together. Through our partnership with the Burlington Masjid, our Ramadan fast-breaking dinners, and the Truitt Center’s Eid Festival, students are able to celebrate with community rather than alone. Weekly religious classes, lunches and prayer services through Muslim Life create the space for students to build meaningful, lasting relationships with fellow students, faculty and staff.”

This year’s celebration of Eid al-Fitr nearly doubled last year’s attendance, reflecting the growth of the campus Muslim community, and the support of the university for Muslim students, faculty and staff.

“As a Muslim student, the growth of Eid at ���ϲ����� is incredibly meaningful,” said Bah. “It allows us to embrace and share our faith while away from home, and creates a space for celebration that enriches campus diversity, promotes religious and cultural awareness, and encourages dialogue and understanding across the broader community.”

The Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life hosts a series of vibrant religious festivals throughout the academic year to honor and educate about the diverse religious, spiritual, and ethical identities represented on ���ϲ�����’s campus. These events are planned by Director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement Hillary Zaken alongside the Truitt Center’s cohort of multifaith interns.

Planning these festivals is part of ���ϲ�����’s multifaith internship, which builds religious literacy across campus and encourages students to learn about traditions other than their own.

“The most meaningful part of planning Eid was getting to know Muslim students and faculty around campus, and learning about different traditions and stories. It was a really special way to build relationships,” said Pottebaum.

The celebration also welcomed about 100 guests from the Burlington Masjid, who joined ���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff in an evening of shared joy. As dinner was served, children laughed and played throughout the Lambert Academic Village, filling the space with warmth and celebration.

Joy and family are among the core values of Eid— ones that the event organizers were intentional about centering throughout the festival to bring together the campus and local communities.

“One of my favorite things about Islam is the concept of Ummah—the global Muslim community that transcends race, class and nationality,” said Bah. “At the end of the day, we are one big family. While I’ve now celebrated Eid away from home for three years, I’ve been blessed to find family here at ���ϲ�����.”