A few weeks ago, we held our first Community Iftari celebration, for Muslims and non-Muslims - Fatima has already written about organising that and how well it went.

Read on for more from me and some other non-Muslims about the experience.

I met with the non-Muslims before the event itself and everyone was interested and excited about being invited to an Iftari - for most people it was their first time and they were very curious about what would be happening.

The non-Muslims felt honoured to be invited to take part and the feedback that I got from them afterwards was very positive. People had felt welcomed, they had learned interesting and new things and they had had fun and been well fed too!

We will definitely do this again!

- Heather

As someone who doesn't normally go to any kind of religious events, I was really happy to be invited to the community Iftari. I love it when people come together to share food and discussion, and this seemed like a very special way of doing that. It was interesting to hear from the Muslims there about how they do Iftar in many different cultures. Also to hear about what fasting and Ramadan means to different people, about how it's not just about not eating, but also for example how it's important to stop gossiping, and other negative things. Good advice I think for the whole year!! And not to forget, the food was delicious!

But I think the most special part for me was to participate in something spiritual, because people weren't there just to eat, but rather to share something more than food, something deeper. So when the Muslims were praying, and we were all sat in silence, I was reflecting on all the things that had been talked about, and it was really calm and peaceful. Sometimes I forget to take time just to stop, take a deep breath, and reflect, and this was a reminder that it's a really nice thing to do, along with sharing food and hospitality with lots of lovely people. So big thanks to Fatima and the team for organising it, it was great!

- Ella

I enjoyed it very much. Especially, to see my friend praying was a very good experience for me.

I thought I knew him well enough. I knew he was a Muslim, but I had never seen him practising his religion.

(I mean, I knew he was fasting and didn't eat pork or drink.)

It was the first time for me to see his prayer.

He was very serious then. He looked a little bit different when he was praying.

I think it was a good discovery. I can feel him even closer to him now.

- Mino