King’s Bolton celebrates unity and inclusivity with Community Iftar event

At the end of last term King’s Leadership Academy Bolton hosted its inaugural Community Iftar, in an effort to celebrate diversity, enhance community cohesion, and engage in interfaith dialogue. Iftar refers to the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan, which is a significant event in the Islamic calendar. School parents, local community, and even the mayor of Bolton were invited to share a meal together in the school’s brand-new building.

The majority of the King’s Bolton student body is Muslim, so this exciting event was an excellent opportunity for the school to recognise and celebrate the identity of its students. Netesha Butt, the academy’s Associate Senior Leader in Character & Diversity, organised the event and stated: “Hosting this event is a way to show how the school values, appreciates and celebrates all aspects of our students’ identity. It allows students to see school as part of their journey. If we truly want to nurture our students holistically, we need to show understanding of events that are important in their lives too. I planned the event as I wanted to share and celebrate such an important part of Muslim faith, to create a sense of belonging for our students - to make them proud to be part of King’s - as we value and celebrate all aspects of their identity.” Netesha also stressed the importance of bringing the community together, saying: “It’s through events like these that we truly build a sense of community. Ramadan is all about community spirit.”

The theme of the event was What Ramadan Means to Me, chosen to introduce the month of Ramadan and demonstrate how much it means to the students at King’s Bolton, the wider community, and Muslims around the world. The event began with recitation of the verses of Quran in Arabic and English about the month of Ramadan. Netesha explained that the reason the verses were chosen to open the event is because “fasting is a command from God, so it was fitting to start with His words.” This was followed by tafsir; an explanation of the verses which discussed the rules of fasting, connecting with God, developing character, and supporting others.

Attendees were later treated to a musical performance from King’s Bolton’s Nasheed Club as well as a riveting student speech that explained the daily routine of those who observe Ramadan and the sense of global community and togetherness that Ramadan brings. The speech also highlighted the importance of social responsibility and taking care of our neighbours, regardless of background or faith.

The event was an unmitigated success, with students greatly enjoying the celebratory atmosphere around the school and parents getting in touch to express their gratitude. King’s Bolton staff commented on how well-organised the event was and enjoyed seeing their students in a new setting as well as having the opportunity to learn more about student faith and practices. The mayor also mentioned how well the students conducted themselves throughout the event.

Netesha was delighted that the event was so well-received, and she looks forward to hosting more Community Iftar gatherings in the future. She stated: “It was incredible to see so many staff, students, and community members from different backgrounds coming together to learn and break bread. We had amazing feedback from all attendees, and I look forward to this being an annual event.” King’s Bolton’s Associate Principal Irfan Umarji was also in attendance and made a major contribution by organising the catering for the event. Irfan also expressed his delight at the success of the event, saying:

“The Iftar event at King’s Leadership Academy Bolton during Ramadan was a special time that brought our school and community closer together. It welcomed people from all different backgrounds, helping everyone learn about and appreciate our diverse faiths, and traditions. It was a wonderful opportunity for us all to celebrate unity and inclusivity.”