Reading College and University Centre held its first Community Iftar Meal on Tuesday 3 March, bringing together students, staff, and special guests to mark the holy month of Ramadan.
Iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast, was shared by over 80 students and staff of all faiths at the college’s King’s Road campus. The event aimed to give Muslim students, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking students, the opportunity to break their fast with their college community rather than alone.
The college welcomed Imam Yahya and Trustee Shakeel Khan from the Aisha Masjid & Islamic Centre to the event. Sagheer Khaliq, Student Liaison and Attendance Adviser at Activate Learning, opened the Iftar before Imam Yahya led a reading from the Quran in Arabic and English, explaining the significance of fasting.
After breaking the fast with water and dates, attendees were given the opportunity to pray, followed by a shared meal provided by local restaurants and businesses, including Bina Tandoori in Caversham and Da Village Afghan Restaurant on Oxford Road. Tesco Extra on Napier Road also contributed dates, water, and plates through their Community Champion scheme. Students and staff additionally donated homemade or pre-prepared dishes.
Rabia Mughal, a Skills Bootcamps in Teaching Assistants student, described the event as “an amazing experience… highly appreciated by all of us.”
Imam Yahya added: “It was amazing! This was the first time I’ve done an Iftar at the college. It was wonderful to see familiar faces from the mosque and the event supported by so many students and staff.”
Charlotte Morgan, Regional Head of Student Experience – Berkshire at Activate Learning, said: “Hosting the college’s first Iftar with over 80 students and staff was fantastic. We believe in the values of community and inclusion, so to host an event that champions these values was incredibly important. It was a friendly atmosphere, sharing food, stories, and learning about one another’s culture. We are very grateful to the Imam, Trustee, and local businesses for supporting this event.”
The college plans to continue fostering inclusive events and community engagement throughout the year.
