Tarique Anwar/New Delhi

Growing up in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, Anjali had never had a Muslim friend. It was not that she harboured any animosity, but rather a subconscious conditioning, an unspoken rule of separation that had settled into her world like an invisible boundary.

When she moved to Bidar, Karnataka, where he joined NEET preparatory classes at Shaheen Group of Institutions, her life changed. The campus was a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds, and faiths. At first, she felt a sense of discomfort; her mind resisted and asked her to maintain the boundaries she had grown up with.

However, something about the atmosphere was different - warm and inviting.

Students - Muslims and non-Muslims - at iftar time

It was during Ramzan that the transformation began. Every evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a sense of anticipation filled the air. "I watched as students, both Muslim and non-Muslim, came together to prepare for iftar (a meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break the fast during Ramzan). There were trays of fruits, crispy pakoras and glasses of Rooh Afza sherbet — all laid out with care and affection. What struck me the most was that my non-Muslim classmates were not just bystanders, they actively participated — serving food and drinks to their fasting friends," she told Awaz-the Voice.

One evening, a classmate nudged her. “Come, Anjali, help us set up.”

She hesitated. Was it her place? She saw the smiles, the laughter, the shared excitement and something in her heart softened. She picked up a plate of dates and walked over to the serving table. As she placed them down, a Muslim girl she barely knew looked up and smiled warmly. “Thank you.”

"That single moment of gratitude struck a chord deep within me. That night, I stayed until the last plate was cleared — watching as my classmates broke their fast. I realised something profound — this was not just about food. It was about kindness, about understanding and about breaking barriers that had been built long before any of us had been born," she narrated.

Iftar get- together at Shaheen Institute, Bidar, Karnataka

As the days pass, Anjali finds herself looking forward to iftar. She no longer stands at a distance; she is part of it. The once unfamiliar rituals now feel personal, and the strangers have become friends. She said aloud, “We find peace in doing this.”

Amidst the warmth of shared meals and quiet prayers, Anjali had found something she never expected — belonging.

“Once the iftar meals are ready, the mess staff hand them over to us. Together with our Muslim friends, we prepare the packets and arrange them on the spread. It is not just me who takes part — Hindu and Muslim girls alike join hands to cut fruits, assemble Iftar packets and set everything up before sitting down to eat with our fasting Muslim sisters. It feels like a celebration, a moment of unity that soothes our hearts and gives us a chance to know each other better, breaking down misconceptions and fostering true understanding,” she said.

She admitted she had no idea about Ramzan earlier. She came to know about it and its significance only here.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer, the founder of the Shaheen Group of Inistutions, addressing students on the campus

She is a vegetarian, but she never feels as if she is living in a predominantly Muslim atmosphere. “The mess here has separate cooking arrangements for those who are vegetarian. Even the utensils are not common,” she said.

Vishwa, who is from Bidar, said, “We are not just classmates, we are a family that celebrates each other’s traditions. The joy of togetherness transcends rituals. I really feel lucky in helping my Muslim friends for iftar. Harmony is about celebrating differences, learning from each other and finding strength in togetherness," she said.

Vaishnavi, another student, chimed in, “In moments like these, we realise that faith is not a divider but a bridge. Iftar has shown me that love and respect transcend religion. We are all threads of the same fabric.”

Smiling, Vishwa added, “Taking part in iftar preparations is not just about food, it is about standing together, learning from one another and creating a world where everyone feels at home. The spirit of sharing makes us richer in ways beyond material things.”

Non-Muslim students here ensure that their Muslim friends do not observe fast without sehri (the early morning meal). “We wake every one of them so that they do not miss Sehri,” said Vaishnavi, who belongs to Gulbarga. “It is a small act, but it means so much. We are all in this together.”

Iftar time on the campus

Reyazuddin Khan from Champaran in Bihar said all male Muslim students are sent to temples, mosques, and churches for cleaning once a year. “It is aimed at making us learn inclusivity and being sensitive towards other religions and sacred places,” he said.

Mohammad Saad from Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh added, “Our non-Muslim friends join us in iftar. They volunteer with us in making all the preparations. We eat together, laugh together and pray for each other’s well-being.”

Jaya Pathak, the administrator of the girls’ section, said that of the 900 female students on the campus, 300 are Muslims and they all coexist harmoniously. “There is no segregation based on religion, but everyone’s faith is strictly respected. Festivals of every religion are celebrated here together, she said.

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For students here, iftar gatherings are not merely a ritual, it is a moment of transformation. Barriers dissolved, friendships strengthened and a culture of inclusivity flourished. Through simple acts of sharing, they are shaping a future where mutual respect and harmony would be the guiding principles.