Academyati, a school under Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE), organized its annual Iftar, bringing together students students and parents in a spirit of unity and community engagement. The event celebrated the essence of Ramadan while fostering generosity, responsibility, and a sense of belonging within the school community.

As part of Academyati’s commitment to progressive education and its ongoing efforts to cultivate an environment rooted in ethical values, the Iftar event provided students with a hands-on learning experience in organization and community service, fostering responsibility, teamwork, and cultural appreciation beyond the classroom.

The event began with the Iftar cannon, brought to Education City for the first time, as students and parents gathered in anticipation of the Maghrib prayer. Following the cannon’s signal, attendees moved to Academyati to pray together. Students played an active role in serving dates and water, demonstrating responsibility, cooperation, and engagement in their community.

Mohammed Al-Shaabi, Assistant Principal at Academyati, said: “As Qatar’s first progressive school, we are committed to providing a transformative learning experience for our students. Ramadan offers a unique opportunity to instill core human values, compassion, generosity, and community service, which lie at the heart of this month.”

“For this year’s Iftar, we wanted to celebrate Qatar’s rich traditions by incorporating cultural elements such as the Iftar cannon, floor seating, family gatherings, and traditional cuisine, all of which are integral to our national heritage.

Al-Shaabi highlighted that education at Academyati extends beyond the classroom, emphasizing real-life experiences that nurture essential values. He explained: “While some values are taught in the classroom, many are best learned through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions. It was inspiring to see our students take an active role in preparing the Iftar table, older students managed the organization and setup, while younger ones helped prepare the dates and water.”

He also highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between families and the school community, and said: “Academyati’s annual Iftar is an opportunity to deepen the bond between the school and parents. Having students share this special evening with their families created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, reinforcing their sense of belonging to a close-knit learning community.”

Fatima Al-Obaidan, a parent of two Academyati students, said: “Academyati’s Iftar is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as one family. It breaks the usual Ramadan routine and allows children to actively engage in and learn from our cherished traditions.”

“Having my children participate and being there with them at school made me feel that we are all part of one unified community.” She mentioned that when parents are more engaged with the school, it strengthens children’s sense of belonging, helping them see school as a natural extension of home rather than just a place for academics.

“It’s wonderful to see children involved, as it serves as a learning experience that instills values of generosity and teamwork. It also mirrors what we do at home, where family members come together to prepare food, reinforcing their sense of responsibility and connection to their community.”

Hamad Al-Ibrahim, a 10-year-old student at Academyati, reflected on his experience: “After school, I chose to stay with my friends to help set up the Iftar table. We prepared the dates and water and arranged the seating area. It was a great experience because we felt like we were contributing to something meaningful.”

“One of the best parts of today was taking part in providing Iftar for those fasting. We learned that offering food to a fasting person brings great reward, especially during Ramadan, which made the experience even more special. The presence of the Iftar cannon also added a traditional touch, making the event feel even more connected to our Ramadan customs.