Ramadan at Georgetown Qatar: Where Family Traditions Meet Community Spirit

English , Events - تقریبات , / Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024

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At Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), the holy month of Ramadan serves as a time of profound community bonding and togetherness, especially for the close-knit Aldobashi family. For nearly twenty years, Hussein Aldobashi, Associate Director of Outreach, along with his children Rokaiah (GU-Q’25) and Mohamed (GU-Q’27), have woven their cherished family traditions seamlessly into the fabric of the wider GU-Q community’s Ramadan observances.

Hussein, GU-Q’s inaugural staff member, recounts his journey from the early days, reminiscing about how he engaged his young children in campus events even before GU-Q officially opened its doors in 2005. He reflects on GU-Q’s nurturing environment and its embodiment of values, which shine particularly bright during the holy month. The family’s participation in communal iftar gatherings and other campus activities epitomizes GU-Q’s ethos of fostering unity and inclusivity.

Rokaiah, now a third-year Culture and Politics major, underscores how GU-Q enriches their Ramadan experiences, providing opportunities for prayer, charity, and communal meals. With Mohamed recently joining as a first-year student, the family’s connection to GU-Q deepens further. These shared experiences not only strengthen familial bonds but also reinforce the values of understanding, compassion, and community upheld by both Ramadan and Georgetown University’s mission.

Through their active involvement in GU-Q’s Ramadan festivities, the Aldobashi family finds a sense of belonging and interconnectedness, both within their own family unit and within the broader GU-Q community. This collective celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of unity and support, echoing the core principles cherished by both Ramadan and Georgetown University.