On Friday the 6th of March, we hosted HBS’ first ever Ramadan iftar in Bigwood Hall, bringing together students, staff and family for a truly special and unforgettable evening. The event was open to everyone regardless of faith, sharing the celebration of the iftar meal during the holy month of Ramadan.

After having broken our fast with traditional dates and water, we opened the evening with a beautiful call to prayer delivered by one of the dads which made it a really memorable moment for everyone there. We then came together to pray the Maghrib prayer in the congregation led by Mr Sadiq!

The food that followed was a real highlight of the night. A wide variety of dishes such as biryani, chana chaat and samosas had been prepared and generously shared, creating a buffet that reflected the diversity of our school community.

More than anything, the iftar was an incredible event that brought people together. It was so great to see so many different families connecting, with many wearing their traditional clothing adding colour, culture and a strong sense of identity to the evening. I felt particularly moved when parents approached us at the end of the event to share how much the evening had meant to them. Many spoke about how welcoming and well-organised it was and how special it felt to see the school community come together in this way. It was also a really lovely surprise to welcome back Miss Sulanki, a former teacher at HBS who also previously led our ISOC, who expressed her pride in putting together the beautiful event.

The event would not have been possible without the incredible amount of planning and preparation behind the scenes. From coordinating food with caterers, to decorating Bigwood Hall with lights and banners and promoting the event across the school, a huge amount of effort went into making the evening so special and welcoming for all who attended.

That being said, we would like to sincerely thank the teachers, namely Miss Rodwell, Mr Sadiq, Ms Stern and Mrs Khan for their continued support in bringing this event to life. We would also like to recognise the hard work and dedication of all ISOC members who made this first Ramadan Iftar at HBS such a memorable success as well as those helping with the decorations on the day. Particular shoutout to our team: Arisa(yr7), Hannah(yr12), Khadijah( yr12), Mahnoor(yr12), Mariam(yr13), Tameen(yr7), Zahra(yr12), Zainab(yr13).

We look forward to hosting an even bigger and even more special Iftar next year!

Written by Hannah B (yr12)

This year, for the first time in our school’s history, students and staff gathered for a Ramadan iftar, creating a wonderful evening of reflection, connection, a true sense of community and cultural celebration. Here at HBS, we strive to celebrate everybody’s achievements, religions and cultures- and hosting our first iftar was a genuine reflection of that.

As the sun set, everyone started gathering, and we could really feel the excitement building up. The space had been decorated beautifully beforehand, adding a special, warm feeling to the atmosphere. When it was finally time to break the fast, it was genuinely  special to see students and teachers sitting together, sharing food and talking. Everyone seemed at ease, sharing laughs and conversations, and it really brought all of us together. Afterwards, we came together for a congregational prayer and a big thank you for Mr Sadiq who led us through this.

We are very grateful to the teachers who helped organize and support the evening, as well as the ISoc members who helped with the decorations and planning. Their hard work behind the scenes really paid off and made the event memorable for everyone. Shoutouts to Ms. Rodwell, Ms. Stern, Ms. Morbick, Ms. Khan, and Mr. Sadiq! A special thank you to Mariam and Zainab for coordinating everything — you guys are the reason this event could take place. Finally, we’d like to thank the parents and people who came – they made this evening possible.

Overall, the iftar was a great experience, success and a moment our school can really be proud of. It brought people together, helped others learn about Ramadan, and showed what our community is all about. We hope to do this again next year, and for many years to come!

Written by Tameen A (yr7 ISoc member)