Breaking Fast, Building Community: Iftar Celebration at NYC Global Center

On the last Friday of Ramadan, students at NYC Global Center, a language school in NYC hosting F-1 visa and domestic students alike, came together for a warm and joyful iftar celebration organized by students themselves. Around 20 students and staff gathered to break the fast, share food, and learn more about one another’s cultures — a small event that reflected the vibrant diversity of the school’s community of nearly 500 students.

Students and staff at the NYC Global Center gather for a communal iftar, starting the meal with a moment of prayer and reflection.

The idea began with Jawwad, a student in Ms. Catherine’s class. After realizing that many of his classmates from different backgrounds had never heard of Ramadan or iftar, he wanted to create an opportunity to share an important part of his culture.

“I asked my classmates if they knew about Ramadan, Eid, or iftar, and many of them didn’t,” Jawwad explained. “So I wanted to organize something so they could learn more about the culture. There are so many Muslims in New York and around the world.”

With support from his teacher, the idea quickly turned into a celebration. Jawwad brought the main course — a large platter from a nearby halal restaurant — and classmates contributed dishes from their own cultures. The table soon filled with Uzbek desserts, cake, ice cream, cinnamon buns, Korean snacks, drinks, biscuits, and more.

Student Jawwad generously provided a deliciously diverse halal platter, showcasing a variety of flavorful dishes from a nearby restaurant.

“For me, the best part was that it wasn’t just my culture,” Jawwad said. “Everyone brought something from their culture. It made the event even more special.”

The evening also created a different atmosphere from the usual classroom environment.

“Normally I’m quiet in class,” he shared. “But during the event I felt comfortable talking more. It was the first time I felt more connected with my classmates.”

Students also played games and spent time talking together outside of their usual class routine.

Staff members joined the celebration as well. Hadi, who attended his first student event at the school, said he enjoyed seeing the energy of the gathering.

“I really enjoyed the happiness of the students,” he said. “There were many non-Muslims there too. NYC is a multicultural city, and it’s nice to have cultural events like this at the school.”

He added that the moment he arrived was particularly memorable — the group was gathered together making duaa just before breaking the fast.

Aknur, a student in attendance also reflected on the experience.

"Overall, the iftar was not just about food, but about sharing cultures, creating memories, and building friendships," she said. It was definitely one of the most memorable experiences with my class."

Students from the NYC Global Center gather to celebrate a community iftar with diverse cultural games, prayer, and an array of international cuisines.

Events like this reflect the spirit of NYC Global Center, where students with home spanning many continents study together and regularly celebrate different cultures. The school has also hosted gatherings for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween, giving students opportunities to experience traditions from different parts of the world.

Jawwad hopes it won’t be the last one.

“We felt more educated about each other and our cultures through this event,” he said. “Whenever there is a Muslim festival, I’d love to do something like this again.”

📸 Capture Your ESL Moment!

NYC Global Center is launching an annual Photo Contest where students can share snapshots of their ESL journey — whether it’s a classroom moment, a study routine, or exploring New York City. Submit your photo through the official contest page and showcase your ESL experience!