iftar

A report on our recent Iftar by ISOC Vice-President Noora 12N:

After the recent appointment of the new committee, the Islamic Society (ISOC) hosted an Iftar dinner on Monday 9th March. Together with Mr Kennedy-Fowler, the committee successfully organised the event at the school, welcoming approximately 120 guests. The evening was open to students, parents, carers, staff and members of the wider community.

Our event opened with a welcoming speech from Mr Kennedy-Fowler, followed by a beautiful Qur’an recitation by Year 13 student Aayan. Aayan recited verses from Surah Taha, which recount the story of the Prophet Musa (Moses) and remind believers that God guides and supports His messengers, encouraging faith, patience, and trust in His mercy and justice.

The President of ISOC, Sulman, then delivered an inspiring speech reflecting on the importance of community and how gatherings such as this bring people together beyond differences of background or belief. He emphasised that Ramadan is not only a time of fasting, but also a time for reflection, generosity, and unity.

Later in the evening, the Vice President, Noora, gave a powerful talk about her experiences in Gaza, where she lived shortly before and for a month during the ongoing genocide. Accompanied by a slideshow of photographs that brought her story to life, her talk highlighted the importance of gratitude and maintaining faith in God’s plan even during the most difficult moments. The audience listened in silence as the images appeared on screen, bringing a deeply personal perspective to the realities of life in Gaza.

This was followed by a live auction featuring chocolate and Ramadan hampers, as well as handmade Palestinian artwork. The auction raised more than £400, which will be donated to charity to support people facing hardship.

The long-awaited meal was provided by Kaana Catering, serving delicious curry and samosas for everyone to enjoy. Guests also had the opportunity to have henna designs applied to their hands and to visit stalls selling Arabic perfumes and desserts throughout the evening.

The event served as a beautiful reminder that strong communities are built through understanding, respect, and compassion for one another.