MANILA: As they seek to strengthen the bonds within the Philippines’ minority Muslim community, a group of students are bringing iftar to various universities in Manila during Ramadan to promote meaningful connections among young Muslims and their Catholic peers.

In the Catholic-majority Philippines, Muslims make up about 10 percent of its 120 million population, living mostly on the island of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago in the country’s south, as well as in Manila.

Throughout Ramadan, which began on March 2 this year, Filipino Muslim students who make up the Students Association for Islamic Affairs, Inc., or SAIA, have been running the “University Tour Iftar” initiative to unite young Muslims in the Philippine capital and build deeper connections with non-Muslim youths.

“This is where Muslim students around Metro Manila gather and break our fast together, as we get to know each other and strengthen our bonds,” SAIA President Alinaid Angcob II told Arab News.

SAIA was established in 2009 by Muslim students and young professionals from universities in Manila with the mission of uniting the youths in their community and inspiring them to excel in their careers.

Since it was first launched during Ramadan in 2023, SAIA’s iftar events have become gatherings of some 30 to 50 people. This year, the iftars have so far been held at various universities in Manila, including the University of Makati, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Philippine Normal University.

“We always tend to have a friendly atmosphere and unity among us, even with our differences in cultures,” Angcob said.

During the iftar event, before they close the fasting day with hearty meals, Angcob and his team also organize discussions on fasting and the importance of Ramadan. They welcome non-Muslims as a way to raise more awareness about Islam and increase interfaith bonds.

“One of our organization’s biggest missions is to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, sisterhood among Muslim students and professionals here in Metro Manila. So, we thought that one of the ways we could achieve that unity and brotherhood is through a salo-salo (shared meal),” Jaffar Malic, SAIA external vice president, told Arab News.

Dates are always part of the fast-breaking meals, though the group tries to add regional specialties, like Maranao-style rice noodles, so that non-Muslims can learn about the variety of food, customs and traditions in the Filipino Muslim community.

They get support from Muslim-owned businesses in Manila and donations from friends to run the iftar program.

“Many businesses especially here in Metro Manila that are Muslim-owned are very willing to support our cause because they can see that we have this drive to help and unite the Muslim students here in Metro Manila. There are also non-Muslims, like some of them are my friends, who give donations,” Malic said.

“Even though the food is simple, sharing it goes a long way. It creates an opportunity for dialogue and for non-Muslims to experience what it’s like to be part of our community.”

For him, being a part of SAIA and participating in the iftar program gave him “a sense of belonging” as a Muslim in the Philippines.

“It’s like finding a community that understands you for who you are and what you believe in without compromising,” he said. “It’s a really big deal for all of us, especially since we are here in Metro Manila, which is a place that’s dominated by non-Muslims.”

The initiative has also received positive feedback from non-Muslims who participate.

“We can really see that they start to develop curiosity and the desire to know more about Islam especially since most of them have Muslim friends, and they want to know the perspectives and understand the experiences of their Muslim friends,” Malic said. “It’s really more than just a meal.”

Lenon, a student at the Philippine Normal University who went with two other non-Muslims, was among those who attended the iftar to support his Muslim friend.

“We agreed to come, hoping to learn something about our friend’s religion so we can connect with him better,” Lenon said.

The discussions were a source of better understanding of Ramadan for the non-Muslim attendees, like Janelle.

“I learned that fasting is not just about food; it’s also about discipline and the strength of faith,” she said.