More than 100 students, family members and friends showed up Friday evening at the University of Southern Maine Multicultural Student Center for a reception celebrating the end of Ramadan. They bought copies of a new children’s book, “Moon Watchers,” which describes a Muslim family’s observation of Ramadan, signed by author and refugee activist Reza Jalali of Falmouth. They ate food from A Passage to India, a Portland restaurant owned by the family of student Rizwan Khan. The U.S. Postal Service exhibited its latest version of its stamp commemorating Eid al-Fitr, the three-day holiday marking the end of Ramadan, and other stamps. Children were treated to traditional hand painting. The reception took place a week late – Ramadan ended last week – because many people were tied up at family celebrations, Jalali said.

Additional Photos

Volunteers from USM serve a variety of Middle Eastern and Indian food at the Eid celebration to mark the end of Ramadan, an event held at the university’s Woodbury Campus Center in Portland on Friday. Zag Alanjari, right, spoons a special sauce over the plate of Fumino Shiobara as Guled Ilmi, center, is served by another volunteer. Photos by Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Susan Burns Chong, center, with her daughters Caroline, left, and Olivia, writes down names for “Moon Watchers” artist Anne Sibley O’Brien, right, to use in a dedication of a copy of the book authored by Reza Jalali of Falmouth.

Zareen Mirad, right, gets a henna hand painting – a popular custom – from Safa Alqayyar, at the Eid celebration to mark the end of Ramadan at the USM Woodbury Campus Center on Friday.

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