On Wednesday 14th March, XPG collaborated with our friends at NEDES and The Dialogue Society to host our first Multi-Faith Iftar Dinner. XPG welcomed members of our school and wider community of all faiths to come together, building understanding, trust and compassion for one and other.
Ramadan is a holy month in Islam observed by Muslims around the world. During this time, Muslims fast each day from dawn until sunset, refraining from food and drink as an act of worship and self-discipline. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is intended to encourage spiritual reflection, empathy for those in need and a renewed focus on kindness, generosity and community. The fast is broken each evening with a meal known as Iftar, often shared with family, friends and the wider community.
Our students helped to prepare the food for the event as well as helping the volunteers from NEDES and The Dialogue Society in decorating the event space.
The event was a stunning display of the Diversity and Belonging seam that threads through many of our learning expeditions. It built on students’ knowledge from 8.1 centred around Being Human and the understanding that there is a lot more that unites us than divides us and was a great precursor to the learning expedition G31 will embark upon after Easter.
Our GCSE RS students were also able to build on their knowledge of Islam by participating as volunteers, helping to make the event a huge success.
A special appreciation to Harris (G28) and Yousif (G31) for MCing the event so wonderfully.
We cannot wait to build on this event next year, welcoming even more of our school community!
Some of the feedback received from guests who attended:
‘A quick note to thank you for the invitation to the Iftar Dinner. It was a real pleasure to be able to be part of the event – the words, the music, the food, the fun and most of all, the opportunity to meet so many people. Your students were great ambassadors for XPG. Well done to all who made the evening such a success.’
‘I just wanted to say thank you again for inviting me and the girls to the Iftar event. It was a lovely evening, but more than that, it showed how coherent XPs culture of community, diversity and inclusion is. The whole XP Team work tirelessly to hook our young people into XPs empowering and broad curriculum. And mitigating the polarising impact of current politics and social media trends through education is no easy task. However, the way the students approached the event, gave all who attended an enormous amount to be optimistic about. From the photographers to the hosts, organisers, podcasters and Y8s who were there simply to take part, every one of them took away something special. Whether it was a skill, religious or cultural knowledge, trying a date or just listening- what an opportunity!’
We’d also like to wish Eid Mubarak to all of our Muslim families at the end of the week.
