SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — The Muslim Student Association (MSA) at Penn State Schuylkill welcomed students, faculty and community members to an Iftar gathering on March 5, offering an evening of reflection, dialogue and community during the holy month of Ramadan.
Iftar is the meal Muslims eat to break their fast at sunset during the month of Ramadan. Traditionally, the fast is broken by eating dates and drinking water before a larger meal. The moment holds spiritual significance, serving as a time of gratitude, community and reflection after a day of fasting.
The event began with opening remarks from Shakwat Chowdhury, assistant director of student affairs and adviser for MSA, who greeted attendees and spoke about the importance of creating inclusive spaces on campus.
The program featured an Imam panel discussion with Erich Scherfen, a pilot and graduate student at RESPECT Graduate School studying Islamic studies, and Abel-Hamid Hnedh, imam for the Islamic Society for Schuylkill County. The panel addressed topics related to faith, understanding and shared traditions across religions.
“I feel it’s very important for me to show the similarities in the earliest religious traditions to break down barriers of ignorance,” Scherfen said. “I’ve already presented these programs in dozens of synagogues, churches and masjids. Most people have no idea how similar we really are and how politics and nationalism have altered their religion.”
The event concluded with closing remarks from Hadir Boswell, a fourth-year psychology student and president of MSA.
Following the program, participants broke their fast by eating dates and drinking water, a traditional practice that follows the example of the Prophet Muhammad. The evening concluded with a shared dinner.
Chowdhury said hosting events like the Iftar gathering helps create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students.
“Hosting an event like this on campus shows appreciation for the different cultures and religions represented in our community,” Chowdhury said. “It creates a moment for people to feel included and accepted. During the event, a student approached me and thanked me for the event. She shared that the gathering made her feel at home, even though she was away from home. Hearing that meant a lot to me.”
The MSA at Penn State Schuylkill was founded in November 2025 after two students approached Chowdhury about starting the organization. Hadir Boswell, president, and Yara Alolaki, vice president, helped bring the idea to life and asked Chowdhury to serve as the group’s adviser.
Chowdhury said he was honored to support the club, noting his previous experience as the founder and president of the Muslim Student Association at Rowan University.
MSA meets every other Friday and focuses on educating the campus community about Islam while also fostering connections among students. Boswell said the club was created to provide opportunities for education, community and support.
“The importance of creating MSA was to help others learn about Islam,” Boswell said. “Many students I have met at Penn State Schuylkill had little to no idea about what Islam is. We created this club to show others how unified, beautiful and caring Islam is, and everyone is welcome to join.”
Boswell said the organization aims to build connections among students while supporting them. He added that the organization plans to continue growing its membership, strengthening its presence on campus and giving back to the community in the future.
“MSA is also about being there for our members,” he said. “We want to support them through the college experience, whether by providing tutoring or helping them adjust to college life through companionship.”
Chowdhury said he hopes the Iftar gathering will become an annual tradition on campus.
“I look forward to seeing what the club has to offer in the future,” Chowdhury said. “We hope the Iftar will become our signature event and will be held every year.”