LONDON: Saudi students in London captured the spirit of Ramadan and forged friendships as part of a special iftar held in the first week of the holy month. The event was part of the “Ftoorna Yajmana” (Our Iftar Brings Us Together) initiative, organized by the Saudi Club in London in collaboration with UCL and Imperial student societies.
Held at Nunn Hall in the UCL’s IOE Building, the iftar welcomed a large group of students, scholars and community members, offering them the chance to break their fast in a warm and familiar setting. Students were encouraged to bring and share their own iftar meals, creating a true spirit of generosity and cultural exchange.
The gathering was more than just a meal; it was a space where students could experience the spirit of Ramadan despite being away from their families. Fozan Al-Farshouty, president of the Saudi Club in London, highlighted the importance of such events in strengthening bonds within the Saudi student community.
“As you can see from this beautiful gathering, I wanted to create a space where Saudi students could feel a sense of home, connect with each other and strengthen our community bonds while embracing our cultural traditions, especially in this holy month. We needed to reduce the homesickness and stay connected more with each other,” he said.
Attendees from various academic backgrounds shared their experiences, highlighting the significance of communal gatherings during Ramadan.
Dr. Rahaf Al-Shahrani, a DClinDent student at Queen Mary University, described how meaningful it was to spend iftar with fellow Saudis: “Being here surrounded with the other Saudis in London, it means a lot. It brings the spirit of being with the family and surrounded by people who share the same culture, the same fasting. So, yeah, it makes me feel really good.”
Abdulaziz Hussain, an events management and tourism student at the University of Westminster, said that the event offered an emotional and cultural connection to home.
“Having iftar in London is the closest thing to our homes. Being surrounded with fellow Saudi students, it means a lot to us and it keeps the spirit of unity and Ramadan going. It’s a nice thing and a good tradition; it happens every year,” he said.
Firas Al-Turki, an MBA student at UCL, said that the initiative captured the essence of Ramadan: “Such initiatives really make you feel like you’re at home. You see your fellow colleagues, your fellow Saudis, seeing familiar faces, praying together after iftar; doing all these things together in a crowd really brings us back to home and we get that Ramadan spirituality.”
Beyond the meal, the event became a celebration of culture and tradition. Amani Al-Shihri, vice-president of the Saudi Club in London, said that the gathering was about more than just food.
“As a Saudi student club in London, we arranged this event so we can get together, and it’s not just about the food; it’s about sharing our culture and keeping our religious ties strong, even when we’re studying abroad,” she said.
“Seeing everyone smiling and sharing their food and telling everyone ‘Oh, you have to try my dish!’— it was amazing.”
The evening featured a diverse spread of homemade Saudi and Middle Eastern dishes, along with international delicacies, reflecting the multicultural nature of the gathering. In addition to the iftar meal, attendees enjoyed board games, adding a fun and interactive element to the night.
The hall was beautifully decorated with Ramadan-themed decorations, creating a warm and festive ambiance. A large screen displayed videos and photos of Saudi Arabia and the holy city of Makkah, reminding attendees of home and the spiritual essence of Ramadan.
As the call to prayer marked the start of iftar, the hall was filled with an atmosphere of warmth, gratitude and unity. After the meal, the event fostered discussions on Ramadan traditions, academic journeys and ways to support one another in both personal and professional life.
With Ramadan now in full swing, the “Ftoorna Yajmana” initiative continues to serve as a bridge between students, offering them a meaningful space to celebrate, connect and embrace the essence of the holy month.
