On Tuesday, Oct. 3, approximately 70 students, faculty and Binghamton community members gathered in the Old Union Hall to take part in the second annual Ramadan Dialogue Dinner sponsored by the Binghamton Dialogue Association. BDA is a Graduate Student Organization that promotes peace, tolerance and love through interfaith and intercultural dialogue on campus, while encouraging Binghamton University students to better understand one another’s backgrounds and beliefs.
While many observant Muslims attended the dinner, as many as half the individuals in attendance were not of Islamic faith. They came to the Ramadan Dialogue Dinner to gain a better understanding of the Muslim people and their practices.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar Hijri, and is considered to be the most blessed and holy month, most notable for Islamic fasting, which in Arabic is called “sawn.” Observant Muslims began the fast this year on Sept. 24 and will continue fasting for 30 days, until Oct. 23. Eating and drinking are prohibited between the hours of dawn and sunset.
“As a Muslim, fasting during Ramadan means spiritual and physical self-discipline,” said Galymzhan Kirbassov, a political science graduate student and president of the BDA. “During the month of Ramadan, Muslims really try to avoid all sins and are often more open to being generous and forgiving.”
The Ramadan Dialogue Dinner included not only an authentic Islamic cuisine provided by Sodexho, but a Quran and Adhan recitation, a video presentation promoting intercultural understanding, a speech by Vice President for Student Affairs Rodger Summers and a speech by Pastor Dr. Arthur Sugg entitled “Tolerance in Christianity.”
“The BDA holds events like the Ramadan Dialogue Dinner to educate students, faculty and the Binghamton community,” said Kirbassov. “Although there haven’t been any big cultural or religious conflicts on campus, there is a lot of prejudice and ignorance.”
In addition to the Ramadan Dialogue Dinner, the BDA works alongside the New York Dialogue Association in planning student trips to Turkey during the winter and summer months, to introduce Turkish Islamic culture to individuals of diverse backgrounds. BDA plans to hold student discussions, lectures and various events on campus this year to promote cultural tolerance and understanding.