Ark Elvin hosted iftar and Eid events this year. Margarida in Year 7 reports on how staff and pupils celebrated!
Elvin Community Iftar
Elvin Kitchen is an opportunity for Elvin pupils and teachers to get a chance to serve back to the community with a warm free meal, this has been happening from the start of November 2022. On Wednesday 29th March 2023, the Elvin community held an Iftar for the Muslim community during the month of Ramadan, Iftar is a meal where Muslim's can break their fast with lots of food with friends and family. On this day, the menu was vegetable biriani with roti alongside a delicious peach cake.
From 6.45pm, our Muslim students, teachers and families broke their fast by hearing a prayer through the speakers, by eating between 1 to 3 dates and by drinking water. After these steps, they were able to eat and share different dishes and spend some time with their friends.
Ramadan at Ark Elvin
Over 4% of pupils at Ark Elvin Academy are Muslim. Most of them fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Although children are not expected to fast until they are around 14 (Year 9), pupils in Year 7 at Ark Elvin fast.
We asked some pupils about Ramadan. Here’s what they had to say:
Tarek, Year 10
Why do you fast?
I fast because it’s Ramadan. It’s part of my religion because I am Muslim and I follow my traditions. Us Muslims do it every Ramadan and it’s good.
Do you find it difficult to fast? What do you do to make it easier?
At the start, it’s not as easy but the more you do it, it gets easier. I don’t focus on food; I just focus on what I do. I don’t get hungry.
What changes do you make to your life during Ramadan?
I am calmer. I focus more on the things I do. I don’t worry things as much during Ramadan.
How do you break your fast?
I look forward to Iftar. I break my fast with family at Iftar. We sit down and have a nice meal together.
What do look forward to the most about Eid?
Spending time with my family. The presents and gift but mainly spending time with my family.
Abdi, Year 10
Why do you fast?
I fast because it’s in my belief. We have to fast because Allah told us to fast and we have to accept what our God says so we have to fast. Also, fasting has health benefits.
Do you find it difficult to fast? What do you do to make it easier?
Sometime its hard. When it’s sunny outside and you get thirsty, it makes it harder. When you stay indoors and say your prayers, it makes it easier and makes time go fast.
How do you break your fast?
With prayers, then eat dates. I break it with my family. I look forward to it because it brings us all together.
What do look forward to the most about Eid?
Meet my family. Going to prayers with my families. Spending so much time with my family and getting to meet my cousins.
Wassima, Year 8
Why do you fast?
The aim of fasting is to get closer to God, and for us to sympathise and be generous towards those less fortunate than us during this month.
Do you find it difficult to fast? What do you do to make it easier?
At the beginning of the month, it’s a bit harder but afterwards it’s a bit easier because you’re used to it. Usually doing your hobbies help you. Things like reading are helpful.
How do you break your fast?
At the end of the day, I would eat a date and sit with my family. We would eat traditional dishes and some sweets and snacks! Then we start talking about what we’re going to do the next day.
What do look forward to the most about Eid?
I look forward to Eid because during Eid I eat a lot of special food and sweets, I talk to my relatives and get closer to my family.
Sajida and Shaista, Year 7
Why do you fast?
We fast to get closer to God
Do you find it difficult to fast? What do you do to make it easier?
It is usually easy. But it can get hard when you are running or doing physical work.
How do you break your fast?
We say our prayers, then eat dates. We then have dinner with our families. We then We ate dates and then have our dinner with our family. We don’t stay us late because we have to wake up around 3am to eat. Our parents usually wake us up.
What do look forward to the most about Eid?
I look forward to Eid because during Eid I eat a lot of food, I talk to my relatives and get closer to my family.