Iftar Dinner at Wesley Castle Hill Uniting Church

On Wednesday 4 March, Ms Boyd, Emily and I had the privilege of attending an Iftar dinner at Wesley Castle Hill Uniting Church. The event was hosted by Ahmet Polat, Carmel Sheridan and Rev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau, and brought together students and community members from several Uniting Church schools. The evening focused on the theme of harmony, diversity and inclusivity, and it was inspiring to see people from different cultural and religious backgrounds come together in such a welcoming space. Iftar is the evening meal that Muslims share to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a significant time in the Islamic faith, which began in the 7th century with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. During this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset as a way to practise self-discipline, reflect on their faith and develop empathy for those less fortunate. Iftar is therefore not just about food, but about community, gratitude and generosity.

Before the meal began, an Islamic prayer was shared. This marked the moment when Muslim attendees could officially break their fast. Traditionally, the fast is broken with a date, following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, so everyone in the room was also given a date to eat. Sharing this moment helped us better understand the cultural and religious significance of the tradition. The dinner itself featured traditional Afghan cuisine prepared by an Afghan catering company. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, allowing us to experience flavours that are an important part of Afghan culture and hospitality. Throughout the evening, we were seated with students from two other Uniting Church schools, and we had thoughtful conversations about what harmony and inclusivity look like in our own school communities.

During the dinner, students were also given the honour of reading a Bible verse to the audience, and we read Psalm 95 together. It was meaningful to see different faith traditions being respectfully shared in the same space. Later in the evening, a passage from the Qur’an was also read to us, which further highlighted the theme of interfaith understanding and respect. The night also included musical performances that celebrated diversity and unity. Singers performed songs about harmony and community, and musicians from Palestine shared traditional music from their culture. These performances were engaging and added a powerful cultural element to the evening.

As a token of appreciation, the church gifted us two beautiful keepsakes. One was a vibrant orange ceramic bowl with a patterned design, symbolising warmth, hospitality and community. The other was a ceramic mug with a detailed decorative design, which will serve as a reminder of the evening and the meaningful conversations we shared. Overall, the Iftar dinner was a memorable experience that demonstrated how cultural and religious traditions can bring people together. The evening highlighted the importance of understanding different perspectives and celebrating diversity, which are values that strongly align with the spirit of Harmony Week.

– Rhiti Bhatta (Year 12)