People of different cultures and faiths banded together to help families in Turkey and Syria following a devestating earthquake earlier this year. This combined effort to help one another was highlighted during Fairfield High School’s first community Iftar which saw different faiths coming together to break the Ramadan fast.
Described by the school, which is based in Allfoxton Road, Horfield, as “a truly magical event”, it was a first of its kind with students, parents and guests sharing the meaning of fasting and faith. The speakers were from the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Humanist faiths.
Sheikh Afdal Ferroz explained how, for the Muslim community, fasting was important in the Islamic calendar for encouraging empathy and understanding of other people’s needs, while appreciating a person's blessings. He also gave insight as to how fasting affected different parts of the body.
READ MORE: Ramadan 2023: Everything you need to know and all the events in Bristol
Speaking on the Christian faith, Andy Padget spoke about Lent being the important religious observance and fasting period. He said that traditionally people would give up eggs and butter with Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) being the traditional feast day before Lent starts.
Jewish speaker Valerie Rassaeli Emmott said that Judaism was linked in many ways with the Islamic faith. Yom Kippur is the holiest day and marks a time for atonement through fasting and prayer. Fasting takes place on three major and three minor times a year in this faith.
Speaking about Hinduism, Tom Aditya said that fasting within their religion was considered an act of sacrifice which purifies the mind, controls the passions/senses and checks emotions. Humanist speaker Chrissie Hackett explained Humanism was more a philosophy than a religion and focused on striving to live well and happy.
Sikh speaker Javinder Singh also likened the faith to Islam. He said while there was no fasting as such, the focus is on sharing food and that the faith has an underlying deep understanding of love towards others.
Organiser and assistant director of science at the school Anilla Khan said the date will become a firm fixture in the school’s diary as part of the school’s commitment to inclusivity, adding: “I am so proud that after so many years of hard work, our vision has become a beautiful reality.”
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