#L2YP Iftar Event

Article written by Amber, Anabia, Eshaal and Haleema.

On March 10th our school community came together to hold a special iftar evening, organised by the No to Racism Council (N2R). It welcomed both Muslim and non-Muslim staff, students and families, bringing our school community together. An iftar is a meal Muslims eat together in the holy month of Ramadan to break their fast and we were blessed to share the experience with over 100 attendees. 

The evening provided a valuable educational experience, helping to deepen the community’s understanding of the significance of Ramadan. We were especially grateful to be enriched by our guest speakers, Dr Bilal Raza and Iqra Mosque Chairman, Aftab Ali, who delivered engaging and thought-provoking speeches. They explored the deeper meaning of Ramadan, presenting it not simply as a period of fasting, but as a time for gratitude, self-discipline, and charity, ultimately reinforcing the importance of unity and reflection within our community, 

We were very lucky to have Aftab Ali to lead the evening prayer at the iftar, this was truly an eye opening experience, as our community were able to witness how the Islamic prayer was conducted. The prayer initiated with the recitation of the adhan, which is the call to prayer, the adhan and actions within the prayer demonstrated unity, and emphasises the importance of submission within the Islamic religion. The prayer was observed and was a source of education for the whole community, listening to the adhan and prayer reinforced understanding and respect among different cultures, it also created a sense of belonging and togetherness within the community. Even our non-Muslim Assistant Headteacher, Mr Batten, joined in!

As the sun set, the PL Hub remained glowing with the shine of fairy lights, flowing banners, and dancing balloons to commemorate the evening. Chatting, laughing, and connecting, the iftar allowed people from across the whole school to engage, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. One student shared, “I loved how welcoming the atmosphere was - I got to meet and talk to people I normally wouldn’t speak to,” encapsulating the importance of events like these in fostering inclusivity. “I felt the strength of our community radiating, not only in school but also in our local community too,” commented Mrs Simmonds. Overall, the evening highlighted the power of shared experiences in bringing people together and strengthening unity across the school community.

After praying, followed by dates and water, the fast had opened. During Ramadan this is the evening meal eaten by Muslims to end their daily fast at sunset, often well awaited and seen as refreshing for those involved. Moreover, for non-Muslims, experiencing the unity shown at each iftar is inspiring. 

All who attended the evening brought their own, majority home cooked meals and snacks to the event, symbolising the togetherness of our community. Common foods brought to be shared were samosas, chicken themed dishes, pakoras, and desserts such as cinnamon rolls and Dubai chocolate cakes. This symbol of care, of devotion to make an effort, not only for themselves but also others inspired even those who aren’t of Islamic beliefs to join in, to educate themselves on the culture and teachings of an iftar.

Needless to say, thank you to all those who attended, and in future we plan to share this experience more widely.