On Sept. 11, students and faculty members came together at the Baptist Student Center at Southeast Missouri State University to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, a major holiday for all Muslims. Eid comes from the story of Abraham being told by God to sacrifice his son, and because of his obedience to God his son was spared by the ram in the bush.

This celebration begins with the slaughtering of an animal and the meat from that slaughter distributed to the needy. This religious celebration is about spending time with family and friends eating, playing games and bonding over good times, just like Americans do at Thanksgiving.

For the students of Southeast and the community of Cape Girardeau, this Eid took place on campus in the basement of the Baptist Student Center with the help of the Bangladeshi Student Association and contributions from the community.

The celebration of Eid began with a prayer from Dr. Bruce Gentry. The smell of curry was in the air as attendees chose their dinner that included chicken, beef and vegetarian curry, lentil soup and cucumber, onion and tomato salad. The main dessert was a birthday cake in honor of Pam Vargas, the wife of Southeast’s president Dr. Carlos Vargas. Vargas and his wife were in attendance for this occasion. Not only did they celebrate hajj, but also the coming together of international students and American students on the day that so many believed it should not be held.

Some people were afraid there would be some type of retaliation if Eid fell on 9/11. Yet there were different cultures, religions and races still celebrating and laughing at life together. It was a community, and Southeast’s effort that made it all possible.

Iffat Hussain Ena provided the birthday cake, Maria Sami provided the beef and the students of the Bangladesh Student Association banned together to help with the preparation of the meal to Vargas’ contribution of funds for the meal.

Vargas and his wife sponsored the meal as a birthday present for Jane Stacy — a former first lady of Southeast. Stacy is an active member of the Baptist Student Center and asked that a donation be made to the Baptist Student Center for her birthday, which in turn allowed for a fabulous celebration for this holiday.

This celebration became bigger than a religious celebration and more about communing with all people, not just people who believe in the Muslim faith. Hindus and Christians also was in attendance.

For the Baptist Student Center this was the start of two free meals a week during the semester – every Sunday at 6 p.m. and every Wednesday at noon for lunch. All of campus is invited to share in the meals.