{"id":138638,"date":"2022-04-08T12:06:37","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T10:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=138638"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:59:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T15:59:41","slug":"iftar-at-the-euc-the-faculty-is-putting-words-into-action-in-being-inclusive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2022\/04\/08\/iftar-at-the-euc-the-faculty-is-putting-words-into-action-in-being-inclusive\/","title":{"rendered":"Iftar at the EUC: \u2018The faculty is putting words into action in being inclusive\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Erasmus University College (EUC) organised an Iftar for its Muslim community last Wednesday evening. During the Iftar (the meal after sunset during the Islamic month of fasting) three speakers reflected on Ramadan and the meaning of fasting. Speaker Thijl Sunier: “Iftar is a place for dialogue and being together.”<\/p>\n

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Students Hadiel (right) and Jessie enjoying their iftar meal<\/span><\/p>

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Host Marianne Vorthoren opened the programme at 7.45 pm and welcomed over forty people in the hall of the EUC on Nieuwmarkt. The three speakers of the evening are seated at a round table in front of the stage while the public fills four long tables. Jugs of water and bowls of dates are on the tables. Near the canteen is a buffet with different kinds of hummus, salad and bread. A room next to the hall has been transformed into a prayer room, where Muslims can perform their maghrib prayer after sunset.<\/p>\n

Place to be together<\/h2>

\u201cAssalamualaikum, ahlan wa sahlan,\u201d<\/em> dean Gabriele Jacobs greets the public at the beginning of her speech. She explains that this programme came about in partnership with the Islamic University of Applied Sciences Rotterdam. Last week, EUC organised a symposium on Ramadan for students and staff. The aim was to reflect on the meaning of Ramadan and link it to sustainability.<\/p>\n

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Dean Gabriele Jacobs giving a welcome speech<\/span><\/p>

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Speaking after Jacobs, emeritus professor of cultural anthropology Thijl Sunier from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam explains that an increasing number of institutions are organising an Iftar as a public programme. \u201cAnd it would be great if we could use the Iftar as a place for dialogue and to be together, both for Muslims and non-Muslims.\u201d Imam Iftekhar Chishti then spoke about Ramadan. Shaum <\/em>is the Arabic word for fasting, which actually means \u2018to restrain oneself\u2019, he explains. \u201cSo, it is not just about not eating and drinking, but also about other facets, such as how you deal with lust and emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n

A mirror image of society<\/h2>
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Lecturer Ward Vloerberghs organising the event<\/span><\/p>

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After sunset and the azan<\/em> (call to prayer) those present head for the buffet. Lecturer Ward Vloerberghs is one of the initiators. He and the caterer check again that everything is in order. \u201cWe want our faculty to be a mirror of society,\u201d he says about the reason for the programme. \u201cNow that it is Ramadan, we want to show our Muslim students that they are part of our community.\u201d He adds: \u201cWe want to give scope for the expression of faith in our faculty and reassure everyone that they are welcome in our community, regardless of what her or his faith is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018When a secular institution like the EUC makes the effort to show empathy, then that is really nice\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

That EUC, as a secular institution, organises a programme for people of faith is not something he finds strange. \u201cMy children\u2019s school celebrates Easter while it is a public school, that is the same thing, right? I think it\u2019s great that my children learn about Easter and my students about Ramadan,\u201d he notes. Student Tuba finds it special too that the EUC organises this programme. She studies Islamic theology at the Islamic University of Applied Sciences and was invited to the Iftar. \u201cAs a Muslim, you are always welcome at Islamic institutions, but when a secular institution like the EUC makes the effort to show empathy, then that is really nice,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Homecoming<\/h2>
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From left to right: Wisse, Felix and Maryse<\/span><\/p>

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Students Felix and Wisse and lecturer Maryse Kruithof are enjoying their meals at the long table. They are not Muslims and nor do they fast, but they are thrilled to have been invited. \u201cI knew absolutely nothing about Ramadan, so I was really curious,\u201d says Felix, who studies Philosophy, Politics and Economics. \u201cI learned a lot about it tonight. The explanation by the imam about Ramadan was really interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for Wisse, it feels like a homecoming. \u201cI grew up in the Middle East, so I do know the rituals. It\u2019s so wonderful to feel the atmosphere of Ramadan again,\u201d he says. It is not a first experience of Ramadan either for lecturer Maryse. She has already experienced the month of fasting in Morocco. Also, for her research, she lived for a while in Indonesia with an Islamic family. \u201cThe Muslim community at the EUC is small, so it is good that the faculty is making a gesture towards this community,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018This is the first time that the EUC has organised a programme for Muslims. As a Muslim, I feel seen and accepted\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Putting words into action<\/h2>
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Student Manar<\/span><\/p>

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EUC student and muslim Manar helped with the preparations for the evening. \u201cVloerberghs asked me what I\u2019d think if we were to organise an Iftar. I was enthusiastic, but did have some concerns: what will people think? Will they be interested? Now that I see a full hall, I\u2019m really happy.\u201d She goes on to say: \u201cWhat\u2019s more, the EUC is presenting itself as an inclusive institute. And I am delighted to see that they are putting their words into action tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Student Hadiel is also very pleased with the initiative. \u201cThis is the first time that the EUC has organised a programme for Muslims. As a Muslim, I feel seen and accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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