Mar 25, 2026

Eid Al Fitr Brings the KFUPM Community Back Together

The morning air carried a light warmth as the KFUPM campus came back to life for a much-awaited Eid al Fitr celebration on Wednesday, March 25th 2026 at the Al Jabal Restaurant. After the holiday break, familiar faces reappeared and greetings were exchanged with a sense of renewed connection. The early event set the tone for a day that felt both festive and personal. Faculty and staff filled the space quickly. Conversations overlapped, laughter moved between groups, and handshakes turned into longer catch-ups.

Dr Motaz Dowaidar from the Bioengineering Department paused to take it all in. To him, the pleasant weather at the timing of the celebration added to the atmosphere. “I feel the spirit of happiness covering all the space,” he said, capturing what many others also seemed to experience at once.

That sense of happiness and positivity also resonated with Dr Israa Abu-Mahfouz, Assistant Professor at the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, who looks forward to this occasion each year since 2021. As one of the first female faculty members at KFUPM, she noted how these moments strengthen the sense of community and create a welcoming environment that continues to grow.

For others, the celebration carried a different kind of meaning. Dr Naveen Kosar, a computational chemist and postdoctoral fellow at the Interdisciplinary Center for Refining and Advanced Chemicals, was attending her first Eid event in Saudi Arabia. Having joined KFUPM only six months ago from Pakistan, she had immersed herself fully into the community, already experiencing several campus occasions, including Founding Day. This event added to her impression of the university as a multicultural place where all individuals support each other.

That perspective was seconded by Dr Daniel Benevides da Costa, Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication Systems & Sensing and RDIA Chair Professor of the Wireless Communications Department. He spoke about KFUPM’s rich, multifaceted environment across academic, research, and social aspects. In his own words, “I meet with my colleagues on a daily basis to discuss many topics, both technical and non-technical,” pointing to a culture that extends past formal collaboration.

At the center of the celebration stood a detailed cake that drew immediate attention. Designed to reflect key landmarks across campus, it featured the KFUPM Tower alongside the central lake and mosque area. The moment everyone gathered for came soon after. Continuing an annual tradition, KFUPM President Dr. Muhammad Al-Saggaf cut the cake, surrounded by faculty and staff. This festive scene once again captured the true meaning of Eid al Fitr, that of bringing everyone closer together.

Around the space, smaller details added to the experience. Candy was handed out freely, and by the end of the event, none remained. Nearby, a photo booth stayed busy as participants took both individual and group pictures, marking the morning with snapshots they would carry forward.

As the event came to a close, the energy lingered. With footsteps trickling out of the venue, conversations slowed though did not fully end until much later. What began as a morning gathering became an energy catalyst for all who took part.