DCA Hosts MSA Iftar Gathering for Students Across the DMV
Fostering unity, reflection, and community for university students during the blessed month of Ramadan.
The Diyanet Center of America (DCA) recently hosted a special MSA Iftar Program at the Ottoman Hall, bringing together Muslim students from universities across the entire DMV area.
The evening began with welcoming remarks by Assoc. Prof. Fatih Kanca, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Diyanet Center of America, who offered a warm and inspiring message to the attendees:
"The center is a home for the Muslim community and a place dedicated to serving and supporting students and Muslim youth."
The program featured a thought-provoking keynote address by Dr. Ermin Sinanovic, Executive Director of the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World (CICW) at Shenandoah University. In his talk, titled “Lessons from Surah Yūsuf for Today’s Youth,” Dr. Sinanovic reflected on the timeless lessons of patience, resilience, and unshakeable trust in Allah found in the story of Prophet Yusuf (AS).
Students from numerous universities participated in the gathering, showcasing the vibrant and diverse academic community of the region. Participating institutions included:
- University of Maryland
- Georgetown University
- George Mason University
- George Washington University
- American University
- UMBC
- Johns Hopkins University
- Howard University
- Virginia Tech
- Morgan State University
The program also welcomed a special guest, Imam İbrahim Çoban of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, who beautifully recited the adhan for Maghrib. Following the adhan, participants broke their fast together in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. Imam Çoban concluded the uplifting evening by reciting a moving qasidah by Aziz Mahmud Hudayi.
This MSA Iftar gathering is part of a broader initiative to strengthen connections among Muslim students and foster meaningful collaboration between university MSAs and the Diyanet Center of America. Moving forward, the DCA hopes to continue hosting similar gatherings that support student communities and encourage unity throughout the blessed month of Ramadan and beyond.
