HAA: Schools’ Ramadan Iftars 2023

Kurlow

Every year the Community Care Division at Human Appeal Australia provides support to several schools to organise Ramadan Iftar dinners where Muslims and Non-Muslims in the school community share a meal in order to develop mutual understanding.

On Wednesday 29 March 2003, for the first time, Chester Hill High School held their first ever Community Iftar Dinner. Iftar is the breaking of the fast for Muslims who are fasting during the month of Ramadan. It was an opportunity to come together, whatever the cultural and/or religious backgrounds, and celebrate the wonderful diversity of the school community.

On the same day, Burwood Girls High School and Unity Grammar carried out its Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinners. With over 200 guests in attendance including Jason Yat-sen Li, Member for Strathfield and Jihad Dib, the newly elected Member from Bankstown who created history as he become the first Muslim Minister of New South Wales.

He was sworn in on the Holy Quran, as he assumed the role of NSW’s Minister for Customer Service & Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Youth Justice.

Burwood Girls High School had a wonderful opportunity for the school community to come together to learn more about the Islamic faith, build understanding and enjoy some amazing food together. As Burwood GHS is such a multicultural school and Muslim students come from many different backgrounds, the evening was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to try food from many cultural regions.

For the 4th year, the community of Lurnea High School hosted a hugely successful Iftar dinner on Friday 31 March. It was wonderful to break the fast and celebrate the richness and diversity of the multicultural school community with more than 350 people in attendance including Tina Ayyad, Member Of Holsworthy; Anne Stanley, Member for Werriwa; Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun; Dace Elletson Director Educational Leadership at NSW Department of Education; Dr Jan Ali, Lecturer in Islamic Studies and Modernity at Western Sydney University; Clr Charishma Kaliyanda, now Member for Liverpool and Narelle Curry President of the Liverpool Local AECG (Aboriginal Ed- ucation Consultative Group).

“Such a privilege to join the Lurnea High Community at their annual Iftar. Thank you to Principal Ms Landrigan and May Jouni and all the staff for the invitation and warm hospitality,” said Anne Stanley MP.

“Human Appeal Australia’s sponsorship helped us create an environment of unity and diversity, where people from different backgrounds, cultures and religions came together to break the fast and celebrate the spirit of Ramadan. We believe that events like this help fostering a great sense of understanding and compassion among our community, and we are grateful for Human Appeal’s support in helping us achieve this goal,” said May Jouni, School Community Liaison Officer.

The Iftar at Arkana College was a great success with hundreds of students, parents and teachers from different faiths in attendance. The Principal and CEO of Arkana

College Osman Karolia welcomed guests in his opening speech and praised the great initiative from Human Appeal to support the community and share the pleasure of feeding the fasting during Ramadan.

On the Tuesday 4 April HAA supported the Ramadan dinner initiatives at Australian International Academy in Kellyville and Punchbowl Public School for students, teachers and their families. Punchbowl Public School Community Iftar has become an annual celebration for the school. Families, current and ex-teachers, local schools and local community leaders gather in the school hall to share a meal in the spirit of Ramadan – giving to others.

Over 220 guests attended on the night, filling the school hall with a positive atmosphere, with families and staff sitting together. Amal Farhat, a teacher at the school, who led the Ramadan Iftar team, described the night as a huge success with families voicing their appreciation. Principal Donna McGeary believes the night is one where the diversity of our community shines brightly.

The community of Macquarie Fields High School hosted a successful Iftar dinner on Wednesday 5 April. In all three schools, students and their families gather collectively on the school grounds at sunset and share in a meal and prayers together.

The next day the Iftar evening was thoroughly enjoyed by Birrong Boys High School students and school guests at the Himalayan Emporium in Bankstown.

These school Iftars foster a sense of community and well-being, develop friendships and build love and harmony through sharing the blessing of Ramadan.

Human Appeal Australia is proud to be involved with events that celebrate multiculturalism by bringing people of different backgrounds together in the spirit of sharing and caring and will continue providing opportunities for our community to come together and celebrate important events.