Young people came together at iftar programs in Cape Town, South Africa. Within the framework of the iftar programs of the Turquoise Harmony Institute (THI), special iftar programs were organized for young people.
In two different high schools, students, teachers and parents from different religions and races met at iftar programs. In total, over 200 guests had iftar together at Springfield and Rustenburg Girls’ High Schools and talked about the place and importance of Ramadan and fasting for Muslims.
The programs were organized with the support and sponsorship of the Turquoise Harmony Institute in partnership with their respective schools. Speaking on behalf of THI at the iftar where Muslim students from schools invited their friends from other religions, regional director Dr. Aydın İnal emphasised the importance of reinforcing the culture of co-existence, which has a practice in South African society, and mentioned that developing and strengthening friendships among people of different backgrounds would be the most effective measure against divisions and conflicts. Dr. İnal stated that the participation of young people in these meetings is very meaningful and is a strong hope for the future.
Another Iftar program was held with students at the University of Cape Town (UCT). This year’s iftar, which was the first at UCT, was held in partnership with the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and THI. The event flier called on university students with the slogan “Would you like to fast for a day?” and many non-Muslim students accepted the invitation and fasted. The description of how to fast was given in the invitation brochure, and the participating students kept their fasts according to the instructions.
Professor Wahbi Long, lecturer of the Department of Psychology and Deputy Dean who participated in the programme, stated that Islam cannot be confined to private life only, and said, “We can become full Muslims when we interact with each other. That’s why meetings like this are so important. Because they represent a living Islam. As our Prophet (pbuh) stated, our faith will not be complete unless we want for other people what we want for ourselves, that is, until we get together and interact with one another.”
Non-Muslim students who fasted for that day shared their experiences. Siyabonga Nhlapo, Si Teng Wu and Nathan Sieberhagen talked about how they got up for suhoor and stayed all day without eating anything. Siyabonga, who explained that he was hungry because they didn’t have breakfast in the first hours, but then got used to it through prayer, said, “I had a hard time towards the evening, but I kept my goal in mind and stayed focused. When you think about why you are fasting, fasting becomes much easier.”
Si Teng Wu said that this is his second fast this year and the previous one was when he attended an iftar they held in the centre of Turquoise. “I got up at 5 in the morning, ate something and went to bed. I felt like I was cheating because I slept until 10 o’clock,” he said. Si Teng said he is not a religious person, but that the food that he eats after fasting
was much more meaningful and delicious. Si Teng concluded by expressing that he really enjoyed the experience and thanked his friends for inviting him.
Nathan Sieberhagen expressed that he likes to fast and that fasting reminds him how much God actually provides. Other students who shared their experiences also thanked their Muslim friends for inviting them and sharing this special day with them.
In the closing speech of the iftar at the University of Cape Town, Dr. İnal stated that the differences and diversity are not by coincidence but by divine will. Stating that the Qur’an expresses the purpose of this diversity in a verse as ‘so you may know one another, Dr İnal pointed out that this is a divine desire and that differences cannot be used to oppress others or to see oneself as superior. Dr. İnal thanked all the participants and those who contributed and stated that they want to organise a bigger iftar program next year.