Broward Dining is expanding its global food choices.
Gator Dining Services will host a special meal in observance of Ramadan on Sept. 10 at Broward Dining.
The purpose of the event is to raise student awareness of Islamic culture and Ramadan, said Jonathan Bull, vice president of external relations for Islam on Campus.
During Ramadan, the ninth and most holy month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from just before dawn until dusk every day, he said. This year, the month of Ramadan will correspond to September.
Ramadan marks the revealing of the Quran to Muhammad, he said.
Amina Naseer, a former student senator, said she began discussing the special Ramadan meal with members of Student Government and Gator Dining in the spring.
The planning will come to fruition in the form of a Mediterranean and Indian all-you-can-eat buffet at 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 10.
Students can enjoy the Ramadan meal for $8.28, the same price as regular dining hall entry, according to Jill Rodriguez, Gator Dining's marketing program manager.
The tentative menu includes braised chicken in peanut sauce, vegetable samosas, bulgur and green lentil pilaf, couscous with dates, and baklava.
"They wanted to make something different than what they normally have at the dining hall, not just burgers and hot dogs," Naseer said.
Naseer said she has spoken with Gator Dining officials about using halal meat, although she isn't sure what the final decision will be.
Halal is a dietary restriction practiced by Muslims, similar to kosher dietary practices used in Judaism.
The major supplier for halal meat in Central Florida is located in Orlando, she said.
Another on-campus event in celebration of Ramadan will be Islam on Campus's Ramadan Fast-a-thon on Sept. 18 at the O'Connell Center.
Participants in the fast-a-thon agree to fast for the day, which is what Muslims will do each day this month, Naseer said.
Like Gator Dining's Ramadan meal, the fast-a-thon is an outreach effort that aims to educate non-Muslims about Ramadan, Naseer said.
"Ramadan is all about separating yourself for a month and putting yourself in someone else's shoes," she said.
