Around 150 people attended the University of Reading’s Ramadan Community Iftar on Wednesday 25 February, with this year’s event focusing on the theme of Building Community Trust.
Iftar is the meal taken after sunset by Muslims observing Ramadan, breaking the daily fast.
Held in the Great Hall at the University’s London Road Campus, the event brought together University staff, students and members of the wider Reading community. People of all faiths and none were welcome. The Mayor of Reading, Councillor Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles, and Mayor of Earley Town, Councillor Nicola Brock, were among those in attendance.
The evening’s theme, Building Community Trust, centred on the importance of creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can meet openly, listen to one another and strengthen relationships. Guests broke the fast together with a meal of traditional food, and the event featured speeches from Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, and Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
The event was organised in partnership with Dialogue Society Reading and the Fellowship Educational Society. Donations on the night supported Dialogue Society Reading’s Life of a Chickpea Project, which works with schools and local communities to promote equality, diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding.
Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “Ramadan is a time of reflection, compassion and generosity, and this Iftar was a wonderful opportunity to bring our campus community together with residents from across Reading.
“Trust is built through presence and honest dialogue, and events like this play an important role in strengthening the bonds between the University and the communities we are part of.”
