200 Turn Out to Enjoy Chicken Biryani, Shwarma and Samosas at Ramadan Iftar Dinner

Like many other religions where observers take part in fasting events to make time for reflection and to grow closer to God, during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast each day to express their spiritual discipline, attain piety, to seek forgiveness, and to empathize with those less fortunate. After sunset, it is customary to break this daily fast with prayer and a festive meal called an iftar.

Since iftars are oftentimes celebrated with families and friends alike, on Thursday, March 13th, the Scarsdale High School Muslim Club held their third annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner inviting the entire Scarsdale community to join them for a special potluck dinner. The warm and inclusive environment saw attendees excited to meet with each other, students helping out at every turn, and young children delightedly playing with new friends.

As one of the club's co-presidents, Kamila El Moselhy, explained, “This was the third annual dinner and our largest turnout yet! Our first year hosting the dinner (2023) we had the dinner only open to Scarsdale high school families and students, so we had about 100 people there. The following year (2024) was the first year we were allowed to open it up to the entire Scarsdale community and we had about 150 people in attendance. This year our turnout was unbelievable with close to 200 people there! I am so happy with how the Community Iftar keeps growing and reaching more members of our community.”

El Moselhy went on to explain that the entire SHS Muslim Club helped to organize the community gathering, where attendees signed up to bring a dish (including cuisine from different cultures around the world) for everyone to share. Some of the delicious additions to the feast included chicken biryani, shawarma on rice, butter chicken, pizza, samosas, kathi rolls, and so much more.

El Moselhy believes that, “This dinner is just such an important event because it really reminds our community members, both kids and adults, that there is a place for everyone in Scarsdale and it allows others who are not Muslim to help us bring joy to our community. I am a senior this year and graduating in June, but I am hopeful that this tradition will continue and grow.”

Daniyal Naeem, another of the club’s co-presidents, shared, “The Community Iftar is important to me because it is a chance for me to get together and meet the Muslim community in Scarsdale. Each year I meet so many new people and it helps me remember that I have a whole group of people who support me. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces when they see the big turnout and all of the delicious food gives me such an awesome feeling. A highlight for me this year was when someone came up to me and told me that her children look up to me because of my achievements and they hope to run the Muslim Youth Club too!”

When asked, “Why is a dinner like this important to you?” the club’s third co-president Rehma Qadir remarked, “I grew up with many of my peers not knowing much about my religion and holidays, and I believe this dinner is a good step in the right direction to create more awareness about the Muslim community in Scarsdale in a fun and social environment. Qadir added, “I think it’s important that we build on the small community we have and extend a hand out to others who may not be of the same religion in order to unify the overall Scarsdale community.”

The successful event, attended by young children, students, parents, faculty, and school board members alike, is sure to be back by popular demand next year. Until then, the SHS Muslim Club wishes a Ramadan Mubarak to all those who observe.