“Eating is so intimate. It’s very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you’re inviting a person into your life.” – Maya Angelou
On Friday evening, the 21st of March, something magical came to life at Campus Drie Eiken of the University of Antwerp. Under the soft light of the springtime sun and the cozy feelings of togetherness, the Rufaida team and student organisation Niyyah brought more than 50 women together for a special iftar and mini-symposium. An evening in which science, faith, culture and connection worked together hand in hand – exactly what the Rufaida project stands for.
The collaboration with Niyyah was key to the organisation of the iftar. Their creative and organising capabilities did not only bring the logistic power, but also the warmth and soul that was needed for this event. They knew exactly how to create the correct atmosphere: warm, safe and connecting. Thanks to their unique feeling with the community, we succeeded in organising an iftar that was more than a scientific get-together: it became a night full of memories, recognition and hope.
An iftar is the meal in which muslims break their fast at sunset during Ramadan. It is not only the moment to eat, but most of all to come together, share and reflect – a ritual that is all about connection, hospitality and community.
The potluck-iftar grew to be a colourful buffet of flavours and stories. Every dish told something about her maker – her background, her traditions, and her identity. Sharing food together, a centuries old ritual, got its intimate meaning back that night as a source of connectivity.
During the mini-symposium the women that were present not only got a sneak peek into the insights of the Rufaida project – the impact of fasting during Ramadan on the gut- and vaginal microbiome – but they also got the opportunity to share their own experiences and ask questions to the researchers, but also to each other. We looked back to the very first phase of our research and dreamed about our future.
“Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit, craving and identity.” – Jonathan Safran Foer
Together with our researchers, among which Prof. Sarah Lebeer, doctoral student Sarah Van den Bosch, and Prof. Charlotte de backer, we took all in attendance along on a journey of science and soul. We learned that food not only nourishes our body, but is deeply intertwined with our mental well-being and our feelings of togetherness.
This iftar was more than a meal: it was a celebration of womanhood, getting to know each other and community. It also brought us a moment of reflection: It is extremely important to collaborate with organisations such as Niyyah, who work within the university towards a more inclusivity and educational spaces for Muslim students. Their story is one of visions, resilience and connection – and they share this with pride in their testimonies at the end of this blog.
Testimony Nada van Niyyah – our partner in organisation and inspiration
“Exactly two years ago, on the 31st of March 2023, Safae (a fellow founder of Niyyah) and I, together with other students of our faculty, were allowed to organise our very first iftar.
This iftar brought Muslim students from higher education together after an intense semester, in a relaxed environment, to catch up.
Our first question was: where could we organise this iftar? Our first choice was Campus Drie Eiken because the organising committeewas a student at this campus. Unfortunately, this seemed no to be possible – we got the notification that we had to be a recognised student movement for this.
This brought us to the idea to create an Islamic student movement on campus, specifically with educational purposes. Our goal was clear: create a warm environment for Muslim students, and bring them together to support them on an educational level.
Fast forward to March 2025: with a beautiful team we organised an iftar together with Isala and approximately 50 women, this time on Campus Drie Eiken! It was a moment that we realised we have achieved our goal: an environment where faith and education are both central, and where personal and academic growth was stimulated.
We are very proud to have contributed to the representation of a very important group within our community: the Muslim women, who are often underrepresented in scientific research. What started as an iftar, brought us back to the same moment two years later – and it showed us how proud we can be on our tight-knit and growing community.
To end my testimony, I would like to end with a quote of the night that I will carry with me: A women told me that she graduated from this campus several years ago, but she had bad memories of her time here because she was the only girl wearing a headscarf. She told me that this iftar, and especially the large number of women present– both students and academics – had completely changed her view.
This iftar was a confirmation for us that it is of the utmost importance to create an inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves.” – Nada of Student movement Niyyah