Inverness Communities Unite for Ramadan Iftar Events

The Muslim community in Inverness has been actively participating in Ramadan since February 17, 2024. This holy month involves fasting from sunrise to sundown, during which adherents abstain from food and drink to foster spiritual growth and charitable acts. The month emphasizes kindness, patience, and the recitation of the Quran, culminating in daily meals known as iftar.

Community Engagement Through Iftar Events

Inverness Masjid – Highland Central Mosque has been at the forefront of community engagement, hosting iftar dinners at various locations throughout the city. For the first time, the UHI Islamic Society collaborated with the mosque to organize an iftar for students and staff at UHI Inverness. This inaugural event attracted 25 attendees from diverse backgrounds, according to the society’s head, Aizah Imran.

“It wasn’t an exclusive event, but it was inclusive,” she remarked. “It was a great time together and it was very wholesome.” Imran expressed that such events play a significant role in fostering connections among individuals from varied walks of life, highlighting the importance of community cohesion.

An additional iftar event took place at Millburn Academy on March 11, 2024, drawing over 60 participants, including parents, teachers, and students. The evening featured a talk by Nasir, a mosque attendee who shared insights into the essence of Ramadan and the significance of fasting.

Understanding Ramadan and Fostering Dialogue

Nasir elaborated on the purpose of Ramadan, stating, “Most of us grew up in the West, where we don’t really experience poverty and we don’t really experience difficulty. By almost simulating thirst and hunger over a short period of time, you have sympathy for those that are actually going through it, who don’t have a choice.” He emphasized that Ramadan is a time for increased compassion and understanding towards others.

The event also served as a platform for attendees outside the Muslim community to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of Ramadan. Nasir encouraged open dialogue, noting, “The more that we have events like this, the more that we speak to each other, and the more that we ask questions, we can break barriers down.”

Following the talk, attendees participated in a call to prayer before enjoying a feast of traditional delicacies. For Kerry Sinclair, headteacher at Millburn Academy, the iftar was a “joyous occasion.” She underscored the power of community gatherings, stating, “What struck me about tonight is that everybody was so happy in one another’s company.”

Sinclair noted that Millburn Academy is a multicultural environment, and the iftar allowed them to strengthen ongoing efforts to celebrate diversity. “The pupils come here every day and they co-exist very well,” she explained. “Interestingly, we are more diverse than some schools in the city of Glasgow, because in larger cities, communities often congregate in specific areas.”

She added that the school’s language diversity is notable, with pupils speaking 47 different languages other than English. Sinclair articulated the fundamental values that underpin both the school and Ramadan, asserting, “At the root of it all, regardless of which religion it is, love, kindness, acceptance, and support are basic tenets.”

Ramadan is expected to conclude on or around March 19, 2024, depending on lunar sightings, and will be followed by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The ongoing community events in Inverness serve as a testament to the power of unity and understanding across different cultures and faiths.