AUGUSTA — More than 150 people gathered Saturday to share a potluck meal and celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at the University of Maine at Augusta.

The holiday marks the breaking of fasting, or not eating during the day, during Ramadan. And it broke in a major way, with a variety of potluck dishes on large plates and in crock pots lining several tables in the Randall Student Center.

Dishes included grape-leaf wrapped treats, Moroccan carrot salad, pitas and hummus, olives, baklava, couscous, fish cakes with sauce, a variety of rice dishes, lamb and beef meatballs, chicken tagine, orzo salad, eggplant relish, chili and pizza.

Attendees said the food was a great spread, but they more so enjoyed the company and chance to meet new people and celebrate with friends and families.

Rehab Oudeh ushered a handful of youngsters through the food line, helping some of them top off their plates. She and her husband, Osama Oudeh, and their five young children have been in Augusta for about a year, after emigrating from Syria.

Osama Oudeh said in Syria the holiday Eid is a big deal, to be spent with family members and a good time to take your kids to the park.

Aaminah Aleem of Augusta, who was born in Pakistan and helped organize the event, said a typical celebration of Eid would start with prayer in the morning, followed by family gatherings. Participants may also don festive traditional clothing for the celebration, as several attendees did Saturday.

Aleem said while Eid is indeed a time of celebration, she briefly asked attendees to remember that millions of Muslims are suffering and facing struggles across the world, and asked them to find ways to help them.

It was the university’s second observation of Eid al-Fitr.

UMA President Jenifer Cushman said the university is fortunate to have many Muslim students. She said Saturday’s event is part of the university’s efforts toward its mission to better serve all people.

“Welcome to UMA, enjoy a good meal, and Eid Mubarak,” Cushman said. Eid Mubarak is a term used as a greeting to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, meaning blessed festival or feast.

So many people attended the potluck there weren’t enough places to sit in the Fireside Lounge in the Randall Student Center.

Soumia Ther of Augusta, who came to the United States from Morocco 18 years ago, brought Moroccan meatballs in tomato sauce and eggplant relish, also a Moroccan dish.

She said what makes up a traditional Eid meal varies depending on individual family traditions, and in different parts of the world.

“It’s nice to gather and get to know different people and get the community together,” she said. “And I appreciate the effort UMA made.”

Kristin McLaren, director of Academic Success at UMA and an organizer of the event, greeted people as they came in, and described the event as an opportunity for people to share traditions and celebrate with the community.

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