Bracknell and Wokingham College held its first Community Iftar Meal on Tuesday 10 March.
Iftar is the meal Muslims eat at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan.
Over 60 students and staff of all faiths and special guests came together at the Church Road campus to share a meal.
Ramadan is a time for community to come together. The Iftar was organised to give Muslim students and unaccompanied asylum-seeking students an opportunity to break their fast with their college community, instead of breaking it alone.
The college were delighted to welcome Imam Ebrahim and Sheikh Mohamed from Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society.
Sagheer Khaliq, Student Liaison and Attendance Adviser at Activate Learning, welcomed everyone to the Iftar before handing over to Imam Ebrahim and Sheikh Mohamed. The Iftar began with a reading from the Quran in Arabic. Imam Ebrahim then spoke about what the passage from the Quran was about and gave an interactive introduction about Ramadam and fasting.
Sheikh Mohamed, who is studying ESOL at the college, did the call to prayer. After the fast was broken with water and dates, students and staff were given the opportunity to pray, which was led by the Imam.
Afterwards, everyone enjoyed food kindly donated by local restaurants and businesses, Hala Lebanese in Bracknell and Reading restaurants Manzano’s Peri Peri and Rizouq.
Students and staff also generously contributed to the meal by making or donating pre-made dishes.
A group of students who are opening their own business soon, Surge burgers, also donated some food.
Jay Sene is studying a Creative Practice (Photo): Art, Design and Communications Level 3 Extended Diploma at Bracknell and Wokingham College.
She said: “I think it was a beautifully organised event that allowed people, whatever their beliefs to experience something new and come together.”
Imam Ebrahim, from Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society, said: “It was a very pleasant evening and a warm welcome from Bracknell and Wokingham College.
“It was great to share our fasting experience with the college’s community and promote love and unity.”
Charlotte Morgan, Regional Head of Student Experience – Berkshire at Activate Learning, said: “It was fantastic to host the college’s first Iftar with over 60 students and staff in attendance.
“We believe in the values of community and inclusion, so to host an event that champions these values was incredibly important for us as a college.
“We were joined by Muslim and non-Muslim members of our community, and it was a fantastic and friendly atmosphere, sharing food and stories and learning about one another’s culture.
“We are very grateful to the Imam Ebrahim and Sheikh Mohamed from Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society for visiting and supporting our Iftar, and we are incredibly thankful to the restaurants and local businesses for supporting us with food and other donations.”
Find out more about Bracknell and Wokingham College or contact Activate Learning via 0800 612 6008.
