Lab’s 16th annual Eid dinner took place on March 26, observing the end of Ramadan, which was from Feb. 17 to March 19. Alongside the celebration of Eid, the event honored senior students of the Muslim Students’ Association. The dinner was organized by affinity group members of the parents’ association as well as MSA. 

Adnan Werdyani, one of two MSA presidents, has attended the Eid dinner each year he’s been in high school, and like every year, he enjoyed spending time with his friends and celebrating with the Lab community.   

“Being the senior and getting a speech myself, as president, felt amazing,” Adnan said. “And seeing all the little, younger MSA members as well as the ones at ESH and middle school — it was definitely great to spend time with them, say hi.”

Similar to her co-president, being in community with the larger Lab population is one of junior Rania Khan’s favorite parts of the Eid dinner.

“Especially with the younger kids, we get to meet a lot of younger siblings that maybe don’t go to the same mosques as we do,” Rania said.

Eighth grader Riya Gonsalves, a guest, was pleasantly surprised by the number of people at the dinner who knew each other. 

“They have the commonality of religion, but they can use that to build actual connections with people,” she said.

Saima Sufi, a Lab parent and one of the longtime organizers, said that the annual dinner is a reminder of the family that her kids have within Lab, and she enjoys sharing Eid with the school community. 

“This is actually a great way for new Muslim families and new families to Lab to also come and meet other parents because there are not as many opportunities as we would like to meet people across the different schools as well,” Ms. Sufi said. “So it’s a way to bring people together.” 

As he is graduating this year, Adnan feels that this last Eid dinner was especially bittersweet. 

Adnan said, “It’s like a farewell to all the Muslim family and friends. It’s a little sad, but you know, that’s how it is.”