Celebrating Differences and Common Connections in Internal Medicine: Ramadan & Iftar
March 13, 2020 Update: At this time, the Iftar celebrations taking place on Saturday, April 23 and Saturday, May 16 have been canceled due to COVID-19 prevention measures. Please contact Dori Knight (dori.knight@hsc.utah.edu) for more information.
The Islamic tradition of Ramadan will be taking place this year from April 23 to May 23, 2020. Throughout the world, and even here at the University of Utah, members within the Islamic faith will shift their attentions toward prayer, spiritual reflection, and charitable acts within the community. Fasting, or sawm, is a major observance of Ramadan, and participants will refrain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset each day during this month-long custom.
Fasting can be difficult for participants, but especially for those who find themselves in an area with a non-Islamic majority and surrounded by those with different religions and traditions; it becomes even more difficult for our medical residents, trainees, and even faculty members, when they are busy with the day-to-day functions of providing excellent patient care.
Dr. Amy Cowan, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Hospitalist at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, saw the hardships of her of Muslim trainees during Ramadan last year and decided to participate in fasting and get involved.
“We have many students and faculty that come from Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries. They are so far from home and often feel removed from their yearly traditions and from their families,” she says, “so I wanted to provide a safe space where everyone – both Muslims and non-Muslims – could come together and acknowledge the unique culture and customs of Ramadan.”
So in May 2019, Dr. Cowan, along with Dori Knight, Operations Manager over faculty and academic affairs and employee wellness initiatives in the department, organized an Iftar for students and trainees at Dr. Cowan’s cozy Salt Lake City apartment. Iftar is the breaking of one’s fast during Ramadan as soon as the sun sets, and is traditionally done by eating dates and drinking water. While Cowan and Knight provided this traditional offering to break their fast, they went a step further by serving home-cooked entrees and desserts, all on their own dime.
“Our biggest fear with last year’s Iftar was that it would be perceived as inauthentic as it was hosted by two white, non-Muslim women,” Cowan admits, “but we wanted to show both Muslim and non-Muslim guests that we value them for their differences, and can always learn from each other. It comes down to celebrating differences, but also celebrating common, human connections.”
As minorities at last year’s Iftar, Cowan and Knight were amazed to learn that there were vast differences in Iftar and other Ramadan customs even within the Islamic faith. For example, several discussions revolved around the differences in how the Iftar is held in northern versus southern Saudi Arabia, and how it is completely different from other Islamic countries such as Palestine.
“Everyone was so open to sharing and teaching the white minorities in attendance about their culture,” says Knight. “But it was also fun to see those from different Islamic regions learn from each other too. I would have never known there could be so many differing customs within the same religion or even the same country.”
After the conclusion of last year’s Iftar, word spread like wildfire around campus and in the community. “The number one thing Muslim students and trainees told us was thank you for seeing us! No one outside of their faith had ever done something like this. It let them feel welcome here,” Cowan says.
Despite a lack of funding for a 2020 event, questions such as “Can I invite my colleague?” and “How can I help with next year’s Iftar?” were among many that Cowan and Knight received from trainees, residents, and faculty. “We could foresee the positive impact of holding annual Iftars,” says Knight. “We even joked between the two of us that we wanted to outgrow either of our apartments and have to find a big event space to accommodate everyone.”
Cowan and Knight were unsure if they would be able to host another event without financial support, let alone expand into a bigger space for more attendees. It wasn’t until Cowan appeared on an episode of the Bundle of Hers podcast to discuss anti-racism that fate intervened.
“While on the podcast, I mentioned the Iftar Dori and I organized a few months prior,” says Cowan. “We got extremely lucky that someone showed the podcast to the Office of Health Equity & Inclusion (OHEI). They were impressed with our diversity efforts, and awarded Dori and I some financial support to host a similar event in 2020.”
Dr. José Rodríguez, Associate Vice President of OHEI, was delighted when he heard about Iftar and wanted to offer his support of this fantastic event. ”We are thrilled about this wonderful opportunity to come together and support our Muslim colleagues. We wish them the best as they break bread.”
With some funding secured and Ramadan right around the corner, Cowan and Knight are excitedly busy in the early stages of preparation. This year’s event will be held twice to accommodate more guests than last year, on Saturday, April 25 and Saturday, May 16. The invitation will be extended to all in the Department of Internal Medicine – medical students, trainees, faculty and staff. More details, including time and location, will be provided at a later date.
“By expanding our guest list in 2020, we hope to make even more connections,” Knight says. “I was the only staff member at last year’s event, and I thought no one would want to interact with me. In the end, I met with so many kind and passionate people from all different walks of life. Instead of passing by strangers in the halls, I now see students and residents that attended and we have this connection now - it’s beautiful and it feels like my own University of Utah family has expanded!”
Cowan and Knight are searching for guests who, in addition to attending, would be interested in making a dish, offering their home for one of the events, or want to support this effort in any way. Interested volunteers should contact them via email at dori.knight@hsc.utah.edu and amy.cowan@hsc.utah.edu.