The Islamic Center at NYU is dedicated to serving New York City and the tri-state’s Muslim community year-round. On a regular basis, the center organizes Friday prayers and hosts community events and learning workshops on Islamic knowledge. Around Ramadan, all operations are kicked into high gear to support thousands of Muslims during their holy month. Since the first night of Ramadan, the ICNYU has been hosting nightly iftars during the week to break fast, charity opportunities and guest speaker events. With its efforts of community building, the ICNYU has played an integral role in amplifying Muslim voices and giving them a sense of belonging. 

Since the ICNYU’s founding in 2006, leaders like Chaplain Imam Khalid Latiff, former director of the ICNYU for nearly 19 years, provide social, emotional and spiritual support to young Muslims and anyone exploring their faith. Every Friday, Muslims from all over the tri-state area head to the ICNYU, filling the Global Center of Academic and Spiritual Life’s Grand Hall to conduct jummah prayer. 

“Our motto at the Islamic Center is: ‘What community should feel like,’” said Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffer, who became the ICNYU’s executive director after working there for nearly a decade. “We are really intentional about manifesting this notion within the Islamic tradition known as the ‘prophetic community.’” 

During Ramadan, the ICNYU staff work months in advance to build community amongst people across social standings and religious faiths based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. 

Members of all faiths are encouraged to join the Islamic community from Monday to Thursday to break their fast with iftar after dusk. Through donations, partnerships and support from other Muslim organizations, the ICNYU prepares warm, halal meals after Maghrib prayer for hundreds of attendees for free. 

For some, the Islamic Center is a place to nurture their sense of self in a new environment. Global Public Health junior Amir Sadikou has been volunteering at the ICNYU for three years. His involvement in the center transformed how he experienced Ramadan after coming to college. 

“Ramadan, at least my first year, wasn’t the best because I didn’t have a community to be part of,” Sadikou said in an interview with WSN. “But, being more involved with the IC, I’m able to have the same experience as I would if I were observing Ramadan at home.” 

Spending her first Ramadan abroad, junior Noura Campbell from NYU Abu Dhabi said the community she found at the ICNYU has been a way to tangibly connect with her culture during the holy month. 

“I’ve never had iftar alone in my life, so, if I had to do that here — especially my first time being away from home — I feel like that would crush me,” Campbell told WSN. “The community is so nice.”

The ICNYU gives back to its community in many different ways. “Zakat,” which in Islam is associated with the act of giving charity, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam that serve as the foundation of a Muslim’s life. During the holy month, Zakat is highly recommended as it increases spiritual reward for those performing the practice as it comes from a place of empathy and offers unconditional aid. 

In honor of Zakat, the ICNYU has hosted a Fast-A-Thon fundraiser every Ramadan. In the past, ICNYU’s Fast-A-Thons have managed to raise over $20,000 for a wide range of humanitarian causes. This year, the event will be held this year on March 5 to raise funds for a domestic violence shelter that supports women and children in New York City. Students are encouraged to give back to their community in any way they can, from volunteering at fundraising events at the center to encouraging their friends to get involved. 

“Zakat cultivates a sense of internal self-discipline: ‘If I can be okay with giving away my money, I should be okay in every aspect of life, and I should be able to have self-discipline,’” Sheikh Jaffer said. “In many ways, [Zakat] is married to the month of Ramadan. If I can give up food for 14 hours of the day, I can probably control a lot of other aspects of my life.”

The ICNYU is not just a place for students to give back to their community, it is also a place where they can seek help if needed and be a part of a larger cause. Sheikh Jaffer is proud of what the ICNYU has been able to create, offering students many opportunities to be a part of the Muslim community. 

“If this is your first Ramadan, or if you’ve done this 10 times before, it does not make a difference,” Sheikh Jaffer said. “We want to embrace the diversity that we have within the community, and we want everyone to feel like they’re a part of it.”

Contact Zara Rawoof at [email protected].