For many college students, 3 a.m. in March is synonymous with cramming for exams or scrambling to finish forgotten assignments. But on Wednesday night, 3 a.m. marked the transformation of the First United Church lot into something entirely different — a vibrant celebration of faith, community and generosity. Hosted by the Muslim Students’ Association, the second annual Ramadan Food Truck Fest turned the early morning hours into a time for gathering and giving. More than just a break from the stress of midterms, the event was a fundraiser, donating all proceeds toward humanitarian relief in Sudan. While this marked the event’s second year, it was the first in collaboration with other MSA chapters from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Michigan-Flint and Michigan State University.
The event coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims typically have two main meals: Suhoor, consumed before dawn, and Iftar, consumed at sunset. The late-night hours of the Food Truck Fest, which lasted from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., catered to the unique rhythms of Ramadan when many Muslims stay up to engage in worship, reflect and gather in community as they prepare for Suhoor.
Open to the public, the Ramadan Food Truck Fest featured a diverse selection of vendors, including Vara Juice and Big Red’s BBQ Pit. While many student organizations at the University often host similar food truck events, the MSA donates all proceeds to a selected charitable cause each year. Last year’s inaugural fundraiser supported those suffering from the ongoing genocide in Palestine, while this year, proceeds were directed to Sudan.
With sustained violence due to civil war and a growing humanitarian crisis, Sudan has topped the International Rescue Committee’s Emergency Watchlist for the second consecutive year. The country faces severe famine in numerous regions and is at risk of becoming the site of the world’s largest hunger crisis, with extreme food insecurity affecting nearly 25 million individuals. Fundraising efforts like these are critical in providing life-saving relief.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, School of Public Health senior Mohammad Sheikh-Khalil, MSA president, noted that while the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund had been the primary recipient of last year’s food truck event, the MSA had decided to shift its focus to Sudan due to the scale of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
“Sudan is currently the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, yet it hasn’t received the attention it deserves — not just globally, but even within our own community spaces,” Sheikh-Khalil said. “Focusing on Sudan this year was a way for us to not only contribute directly to those in need, but also raise awareness about the severity of the situation.”
He explained that the proceeds would be directed toward fundraising pages for various displaced families in Sudan, providing essential medical aid, food and supplies. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of sustained support for Sudan and Palestine, citing the millions of people in need of critical medical attention and basic necessities.
“With crises like these, it’s easy for people to look away,” Sheikh-Khalil continued. “But for those experiencing genocide and war firsthand, the suffering doesn’t stop when the headlines disappear. That’s why we have to continue raising awareness and donating — because these communities have lost everything.”
Charity is a core tenet of Ramadan, emphasized as a means of spiritual growth, generosity and community engagement. Fasting during Ramadan is not only a means of cleansing one’s appetite, but also cleansing the soul. It serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by those lacking access to fundamental necessities, encouraging Muslims to reflect on their blessings and contribute to the well-being of others.
LSA junior Nawal Ahmed, MSA’s external vice president, emphasized how this sense of responsibility extends beyond borders, as humanitarian crises should be seen as a collective concern.
“As Muslims, we see it as our duty to help those in need, no matter where they are in the world,” Ahmed explained. “Any crisis, whether in Sudan, Palestine or anywhere else, should feel like a personal issue to us; we are one ummah, one people, one body. When one of us suffers, we all do.”
Beyond fundraising, the event also fostered a sense of community and kinship. For many students, the event was more than just a chance to enjoy good food — it also served as an opportunity to come together in a space that felt like home.
LSA sophomore Rima Al Mosawy, an out-of-state student from Virginia, shared how events like the Food Truck Fest have helped her find a sense of belonging within the Muslim community on campus.
“I’m not from Michigan and didn’t grow up around many Muslims,” Al Mosawy explained. “Coming here, I knew I wanted to explore that part of my life more. The MSA has helped me deepen my connection with Allah and build friendships with fellow Muslims who share my values.”
For LSA freshman Kareem Al-Saghir, who also serves as the treasurer of Students Organize for Syria at the University, the Food Truck Fest not only served as the opportunity to support a beneficial cause, but also a chance for introspection.
“I’ve seen how conflict can devastate families, how it forces people to leave behind their homes and histories,” Al-Saghir shared. “My own family lived through the Syrian revolution, and their stories of survival and resilience mirror what so many in Sudan are facing today. While I can never fully understand their struggles, I heavily empathize with them.”
The significance of the event coinciding with Ramadan was also not lost on attendees.
“Ramadan is about remembrance — not just of Allah, but of those who go without,” Al-Saghir said. “We break our fast with abundant meals, while others don’t even know when their next meal will come. This event reminds us of our privilege and the responsibility that comes with it.”
Additionally, despite being organized by the MSA in particular, the event was open to students of all backgrounds and faiths. Sheikh-Khalil and Ahmed reflected on how events like the Food Truck Fest can help challenge misconceptions about MSA’s inclusivity. For Sheikh-Khalil, fostering an inclusive space has always been a priority, one shaped by his own experiences of finding community at the University.
“I come from a very small, predominantly white town in Louisiana, where I was the only Muslim in my school,” Sheikh-Khalil shared. “Going from that to a university like Michigan, where there’s a strong Muslim community, was difficult for me to integrate into at first. … The sense of community that was given to me, I wanted to give to others.”
This commitment to making others feel welcome has also been a driving point in Sheikh-Khalil’s leadership within MSA.
“I’ve always had this intention of creating spaces for those same people who have gone through a similar struggle as me because I know how uncomfortable it is to be in that position,” Sheikh-Khalil explained.
The Food Truck Fest is one such space, demonstrating how MSA is open to all students, regardless of their faith or level of religious practice.
“A lot of people come into (the University) with the notion that MSA is very strict or that you have to be a certain ‘level’ of Muslim to fit in,” Ahmed said. “I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to meet some threshold to be part of the community. Events like this are just one step toward expanding that notion — showing that our spaces are open, welcoming and for everyone, regardless of where they are in their faith or even if they’re not Muslim at all.”
The event’s relaxed and inclusive atmosphere annually draws in students who may not typically attend MSA events, providing a space for connection and community without barriers.
“For food trucks, we tend to see Muslims we haven’t seen at any other events, and that’s really beautiful. We even get a lot of non-Muslims — friends just passing by, stopping to enjoy the event,” Ahmed described. “It’s just amazing seeing the community come together over food.”
As the event continues to grow each year, organizers aim to expand its reach not only by attracting more food vendors and attendees, but also by broadening its support for global humanitarian causes. Ultimately, they hope to establish a tradition that unites students across campuses, fosters interfaith understanding and serves a greater humanitarian purpose.
The success of the MSA’s Ramadan Food Truck Fest offered more than just a chance to enjoy diverse cuisines and camaraderie — it was about breaking barriers and reminding attendees that, even in the chaos of our own lives, there is always room to show up for others in need. Even the simplest acts of gathering and giving can make a lasting impact, bringing communities together for a cause greater than ourselves and reflecting on the core spirit of Ramadan through solidarity.
MiC Columnist Muntaha Rahman can be reached at [email protected].
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