Can 80 people from all corners of the world truly feel at home in the same place? That was the question I found myself reflecting on after we hosted the first ever Iftar dinner at Cambridge Judge Business School.
It all began with a simple idea. My dear friend Mai Allhaidan from my 20204/25 MBA cohort approached me and Annisa Ramadhania with the thought of hosting a small gathering for Ramadan. Just 10-15 people, a moment to break fast together. But the more we planned, the more we felt the pull to make it bigger – to invite our families, and then, why not, the entire Cambridge Judge community? Ramadan is about togetherness and reflection, but it’s also about generosity, and we wanted to share that spirit widely.
With the wholehearted support of Manaz Javaid from the EDI team at the Business School and the tireless effort of friends and volunteers, we pulled together something truly special in a very short time. More than 80 guests – Muslim and non Muslim, students, staff, and faculty – came together to celebrate not just a meal, but a feeling of unity.
Our table was a reflection of the diversity within the Islamic world and our own cohort: Turkish delights, Indonesian sweets, Saudi cookies, Palestinian dates, Crimean pastries, Indian snacks. Every dish carried a story, and every guest brought a unique piece of their own culture. Some even came dressed in traditional attire, adding to the joyful kaleidoscope of the night.
Seeing all the faces with excitement and joy, and hearing the speeches from Jaideep Prabhu, faculty, and Juliana Kozak Rogo, our MBA Director, reminded me once again that no matter the geography or our differences, we are all simply human in essence – and this sense of collectivism is what makes a community stronger.
But it wasn’t the food that made the night unforgettable – it was the people. The warm smiles, the sparkle in every eye, the laughter shared across tables. In that room, surrounded by different languages, backgrounds, and beliefs, we felt something universal: belonging.
Right before the ezan – the call for prayer – I looked around the room and felt the tears in my eyes, I remembered my very first impression of Cambridge Judge: “I knew CJBS was going to be colourful from its façade.” I just hadn’t expected how deeply that colour would run – through its people, its traditions and the open hearted way it embraces difference.
May this Iftar be the beginning of a lasting tradition – one that continues to open doors, build bridges, and remind us all of the joy and strength that inclusion brings.