Natasha Khan Kazi, a 2004 Pitt alumna and former Pitt News columnist, published her first children’s book in February with HarperCollins. After working in digital marketing for more than 13 years, she followed her passion for writing and published “Moon’s Ramadan.”

About 150 students participated in Pitt’s Muslim Students Association’s first-ever “Fast-a-Thon,” an event where non-Muslims fasted on Tuesday with Muslim students for Ramadan. The event raised more than $4,000 for Islamic Relief USA.

Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, is observed through a 30-day period of fasting from dawn until dusk. Pitt’s Muslim Student Association runs twice-weekly iftars at sundown, which are the meals held each evening to mark the end of the daily fast.

Although the United States was founded in part on the basis of religious freedom, all religions — and therefore their holidays — are often not treated equally.

While some students say it’s not difficult to make arrangements that make them and their instructors happy, others say they sometimes feel forced to choose between religion and school.