Festive mood grips DU campus centring iftar gatherings
DHAKA, March 15, 2026 (BSS) - As the Holy Month of Ramadan unfolds, Dhaka University (DU) dons festive attire each afternoon, with its historic grounds gradually transforming into vibrant spaces of fellowship and flavour centering the daily iftar.
From TSC to Mall Chattar, Curzon Hall's green field to the courtyards of residential halls, students begin to gather in small groups as the sun dips lower.
Conversations, chitchat, laughter and anticipation ripple across the campus nearly an hour before sunset, weaving a lively embroidery of youthful camaraderie.
Every Ramadan revives this familiar rhythm. Some students hurry to buy iftar delicacies, while others arrange food in circles of friendship. What begins as preparation soon blossoms into a warm social gathering, strengthening bonds of harmony.
By late afternoon, collective planning takes centre stage - menus are discussed, responsibilities shared, and stall outside the halls brim with colour.
With five halls standing side by side, the area becomes a bustling marketplace of Ramadan flavours. Vendors display fruits, sherbet, chickpeas, beguni, piaju, haleem and kebabs, turning the campus into a carnival of aromas.
For residential students away from their families, these shared meals carry special meaning. Plates are exchanged, guests welcomed, and strangers become friends as the moment of iftar arrives.
The tradition extends beyond informal circles - departments, cultural bodies, voluntary groups and student organisations host collective iftar events, often joined by alumni and teachers, enriching the sense of community.
As the Maghrib call to prayer resonates across DU, a sudden calm envelops the grounds. Dates and water mark the breaking of the fast, followed by the sharing of dishes.
Differences fade, and the joy of togetherness shines. Students of diverse faiths and backgrounds join in, reflecting the campus's enduring spirit of communal harmony. Even after iftar, the social buzz continues - some head to prayers, others linger in tea-time conversations.
Over the years, this tradition has become a cultural hallmark of Dhaka University. New students embrace it, while alumni return to relive cherished memories. Sitting on mats under the open sky or gathering in small circles, the collective iftar has become inseparable from Ramadan life at DU - a living symbol of friendship, faith and festivity.
