Nourishing the Body and Soul of Students During Ramadan
Join Us in Supporting a Nearly 30-year Tradition of Community and Care
For many students, Ramadan is a sacred time of reflection, gratitude, and unity. It’s a month to connect with their faith and cherish moments with family and friends. For Muslim students at Ontario Tech University, Durham College, and Trent University who are far from home, Ramadan can be a time of unique challenges. Long hours of fasting, rigorous academic schedules, and the absence of familiar meals and traditions can make this holy month feel isolating.
For nearly 30 years, Dr. A. Yasmeen Siddiqui has been a beacon of support, providing warm meals and kinship to students during Ramadan. As a family physician at the Campus Health Centre from 1991 to 2012 and an immigrant herself, Dr. Siddiqui understands the struggles of being far from family.
“Ramadan is a sacred month, and it's a family month. Everybody's busy with their own families, fasting, and worship,” shares Dr. Siddiqui. “Yet, for many students, coming to university is the first time away from home. They often don’t know anybody and have no idea where to access food to break their fast. By providing nourishing meals during Ramadan, we show these students that they are not alone. We create a sense of belonging.”
What began in 1995 with a few non-perishable items served out of a small room has since grown into a cherished tradition. Today, the program provides hot, nutritious, buffet-style meals to hundreds of students, staff, and visiting scholars. During the pandemic, it adapted to include curbside pickups from Campus Living Centres, ensuring that the tradition continued uninterrupted.
Last year alone, over 280 students registered for the program, and more than 5,300 meals were served during Ramadan.
Dr. Siddiqui’s efforts have been bolstered by the generous support of the Muslim community, alumni, current students, and donors. “I have worked hard to bring this program to this level,” Dr. Siddiqui says. “But when you selflessly give and help somebody in need, support comes to you in unprecedented ways. The demand continues to grow, and I need all the help I can get to feed our growing community of Muslim students, faculty, and staff.”
Why Your Help Matters:
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Over 280 students registered last year for the Ramadan meal program.
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5,300 meals were served during Ramadan in 2024.
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This year, the program will also support staff and visiting scholars.
Every meal shared is more than food—it’s an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of community and remind students they are not alone, no matter how far from home they are.
How You Can Help:
By donating today, you’re not just providing food. You’re helping create a welcoming environment where students feel supported and valued during one of the most meaningful times of the year.
Here’s how your contribution makes an impact:
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Provides nutritious meals to students observing the fast.
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Offers a sense of belonging and comfort for those far from home.
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Ensures no student feels alone during Ramadan.
Your generosity can make all the difference. Join us in continuing this legacy of care and community. Together, we can ensure that every student feels the warmth of support and the joy of shared meals during this sacred month.
Let’s make this Ramadan special for all our students. Thank you for your support!
Donate today!
Our commitment is to ensure a sustainable, transparent, and efficient philanthropic program. To help achieve this, 5% of donations to expendable funds, with the exception of student financial support, are used to partially offset the costs of receipting, administering, tracking and distributing funds. Thank you for your support.
