Iftar brings community closer

Community unites Residents gather at iftar event at St Johns Infant School in Dewsbury.

St John’s Infant School invited residents of all faiths and ethnicities to attend its iftar function, a meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during the holy month.

Members from St John’s Church, Dewsbury Minister and from the school went to the event last Friday.

The Muslim holy month began on Wednesday July 10, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from before dawn until dusk.

Organiser Arif Ahmad said he was overwhelmed by the response from the community.

“The government has made a big effort around the country for communities to come together at iftar functions,” he said.

“It definitely passed my expectations to have 57 people turn up including 23 non-muslims.

“The idea was to get everyone together, sit down, share a meal and just to get to know one another.”

Mr Ahmad, a former pupil and governor at St John’s School, said he was hopeful similar events could be held in the future.

“We do not have our own mosque in Dewsbury so geographically the school is a great location,” he said.

“But more importantly it is about finding a suitable location. Sometimes people are quite reluctant to go the mosque because they do not quite understand what exactly goes on in there.

“The support from the school was brilliant and the most important thing was getting the community together.”