10 April 2024
PEOPLE from across Turning Lives Around have joined together to partake in Iftar alongside their Muslim colleagues who have been fasting as part of Ramadan.
This is the second time that TLA has held a Ramadan Iftar and encouraged colleagues to take part. This year it was organised by Student Social Worker Husain and hosted by Beacon Leeds at Francis House.
Iftar is the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break or open their fast during daylight throughout the holy month of Ramadan. It is also an opportunity to reflect on people from across the world that are disadvantaged and are experiencing dire poverty.
As well as enjoying and giving thanks for a tremendous feast including samosas, pakoras, chicken curry, chapattis and pilau rice with sweets treats of Biscoff milk cake, raspberry and lemon loaf and brownies, participants heard from Muslim colleagues on what Ramadan means to them, how the whole month leading up to Eid is about deepening their connection with Allah and spending time with family, friends and loved ones.
Husain explained fasting is not just about abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. “It is about fasting the mouth, not using foul language or talking negatively about others; fasting the body, avoiding any actions that may upset other people; fasting the mind, avoiding negative thoughts,” he said.
He thanked colleagues for the welcome and support given to him during his placement at TLA.
“We are all family here; I feel like the baby of the family that has been welcomed with open arms there is such a sense of belonging at TLA. Beacon and TLA embraces all cultures, allows us to be our authentic selves and has really cared about the blessed month of Ramadan. I have felt supported as a student with flexibility to practice my religion with the agile working policy and additional breaks to pray. Praying more and becoming more spiritual in this month is a blessing.”
As a multicultural organisation supporting a diverse client group, TLA believes in putting its policy of Fairness, respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (FREDIE) into action daily.
Beacon Senior Manager Mia Cameron who attended the Iftar said it was ‘a pleasure and a privilege’ to take part.
“At TLA we support our teams and colleagues in being their authentic selves and this involves celebrating their culture and religion. Husain and his team did an amazing job on this years’ Iftar, with spectacular table decorations, beautiful food and lots of team building as an organisation as we shared each other’s joy and culture,” she said.