Fleetwood Park Secondary hosts school’s first iftar during Ramadan

Fleetwood Park Secondary's Muslim Student Association hosted the school's first-ever iftar during Ramadan, providing 120 meals to students and staff in an afterschool event while raising money for Islamic Relief Canada.

In a first for Fleetwood Park Secondary, the school’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) hosted its first-ever iftar, bringing together students and staff while also giving back to the broader community.

For this year’s Ramadan, the MSA spent two months planning the afterschool iftar, providing meals for Muslim members of the school community to break their fast at sunset. The association served 120 chicken shawarma and falafel plates, with about $500 raised from ticket sales supporting Islamic Relief Canada, an international aid and development charity, and an integral part of Fleetwood Park’s inaugural iftar.

“We had seen Johnston Heights Secondary host an iftar two years ago, and since then, we’ve wanted to have our own,” said Mubashir Ali Syed, a Grade 12 student and one of the MSA’s executive members. “This year, one of our team members, Malak, spoke to the regional manager of Islamic Relief – Malak volunteers with them and Islamic Relief generously sponsored us for all of the food, which was amazing.”

The school’s MSA was founded in 2023 and currently has 10 members on the executive. However, to put on an event of this size, the association enlisted the help of more than 20 volunteers to set up tables, put up decorations and serve food.

“Some of us went from our last class straight to putting up decorations,” said Syed. “It was very tiring but once everything started to come together, I felt a sense of relief.”

“It was nice to see our vision become a reality,” said fellow executive Fatima Asif. “A lot of people liked the iftar – we had a lot of activities and guest speakers and we did a Kahoot on Ramadan itself and gave out prizes.

“It was pretty engaging, and in general, I think it went pretty smoothly.”

In addition to support from Islamic Relief, the decoration costs were covered by a prize from the Miftaah Institute, an Islamic educational institution, based on the MSA’s ticket sales for the event. The food was supplied by Al Basha Original’s Surrey location, with meat and vegetarian options for attendees.

Syed and Asif noted the iftar was open to everyone, regardless of faith, and that the MSA has received a lot of positive feedback about the inaugural gathering.

“We had a few non-Muslims there and the school admin, and they got to experience what Ramadan is all about – community and connection and the sacrifice you’re willing to make even while you’re fasting to bring the community together,” said Syed.

While Syed and Asif are graduating this year, they said they are proud of their accomplishment to host the iftar for a good cause, and they hope the MSA’s junior executives will take on planning another iftar for next year’s Ramadan.

“It definitely feels nice to have an event in Surrey and know you’re making a difference across the world,” said Syed.