Led by the MSA, members of the Jewish Student Association, the GWU College Democrats, the GWU College Republicans and others held a townhall-style meeting Tuesday evening to discuss ways to cultivate tolerance for every group on campus, despite racial, political or religious differences.

Wednesday evening a record-breaking 300 students, faculty and staff assembled in the Cloyd-Heck Marvin Center for the Sixth Annual Interfaith Iftaar dinner, the meal celebrated by Muslims to break the fast during Ramadan, a holy holiday in the Islamic faith.

Sponsored by both the Jewish Student Association and the Muslim Students’ Association, the event sought to bring communities of all backgrounds together for a night of feasting and fellowship.

“We began co-sponsoring this event right after 9/ll. We wanted to bring the Jewish and Muslim communities together. It was the first of its kind. Now, there are similar events throughout the country,� says Omar Woodard, a GWU graduate and founding member of the Muslim Students’ Association.

In an official statement issued Monday, GWU President, Dr. Steve Knapp called the fliers reprehensible and said that there was no place for hatred on GWU’s campus.

During the Iftaar dinner, Knapp reinforced the sentiment, saying, “This Iftaar dinner reflects the spirit of interfaith fellowship that is pervasive throughout this campus. We are ready and eager to learn from each other.�

--Michelle J. Nealy

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