Iftar brings community together

Rondebosch East Primary School’s hall was packed last Friday for its community iftar.

Hundreds attended the breaking of the fast for Muslims - the first such event held at the school and one it now hopes to make annual.

Foundation phase departmental head Fadjwa Adams said that with the school being so diverse they wanted to give non-Muslim pupils and staff a chance to learn more about the fast and the Muslim holy month of Ramadaan.

The iftar formed part of the school’s outreach projects, she said.

"I've been a member of the school for 24 years and seen how the community has grown. We have seen the beauty of the diverse cultures coming together and through that we wanted to bring the same culture of diversity and inclusivity.“

Children and staff from a Hanover Park safe house and a Manenberg soup kitchen had been invited to the iftar, she said.

"This was our first time putting together such an event, and having seen the outcome, we hope to have more in the future. We are already thinking about what we can do next year," she said.

Deputy principal Trevor Turner said the school was always looking to unite the community, and the iftar helped to remind pupils to respect one another.

“It’s not a Christian or a Muslim thing but a Rondebosch East community thing. And for the first one, we think it was a huge success,” he said.