In Groningen, there are iftars for everyone, including students

In Groningen, Muslims can break their fast in a festive atmosphere in the company of neighbours. Students can also join the iftars organised by Noordelijke Horizon.

‘You are Dutch, I am Turkish and someone else is from a different country. But ultimately, we are all just people’, says Beyza Dag (26). She is following the Grotius programme at Hanze University, a course for asylum seekers with a residence permit. She fled Turkey a few years ago. ‘I was unable to finish my studies there and I wanted to discover a different side of myself in the Netherlands.’

The warm welcome she received in the Netherlands made Beyza want to give something back. ‘I have been volunteering since I was young, and I want to do my bit here too. I see organising an iftar as a great opportunity to bring communities together.’

‘As a resident of Groningen, I feel that Groningen is my community, so we want to gather around the tables’

For the third year in a row, the Northern Horizon Foundation is organising iftars in the province of Groningen. An iftar is when Muslims break their fast during the month of Ramadan. According to tradition, it is a celebration for family and friends. ‘As a resident of Groningen, I feel that Groningen is my community, so we want to come together around the tables, because that connects us’, says chairman Esref Aydogan. ‘Since 2021, we have been committed to integration, participation and inclusivity in the Northern Netherlands.’

According to Esref, who studies Business Process Management and IT at the Open University, it is no coincidence that the foundation chose the Groningen Akerk as its location. ‘Organising an iftar in a church is a very powerful image of connection. Moreover, the Akerk is one of the symbols of the city of Groningen.’

‘Ramadan promotes togetherness, which is why we reached out to as many people as possible’

The iftars are organised in the spirit of Islamic thinker Fethullah Gülen. ‘He taught us that every person should look after their neighbour. When someone feels bad, you will feel bad as well’, explains Beyza. That idea was also the basis for the decision to send out the iftar invitation to a wide audience.

Esref: ‘Ramadan creates a sense of togetherness, which is why we reached out to as many people as possible, from the local police officer and residents to local councillors.’ He believes that bringing different groups together is important, especially in these uncertain times. ‘We live in a time when the world is divided. There is great polarisation, especially on social media. Many people live in their own bubble. A joint iftar can help to break through that polarisation.’

Esref has often seen unexpected conversations arise at previous iftars. ‘Recently, I met three new people at my table. A journalist and two people from a church congregation listening to each other’s stories.’ Sometimes those conversations even touch on religion. ‘For example, I heard the story of Abraham from a Christian perspective. I know that story from my own religion, but it was nice to hear it from a different angle.’ Beyza sees mutual understanding developing. ‘You discover that you have many shared values: peace, kindness and caring for one another. That ties in nicely with Gülen’s philosophy of building bridges.’

‘It’s accessible; you sit at a table and start talking naturally’

Nevertheless, Esref observes that language can sometimes be a barrier. ‘It can be quite a daunting step to leave your comfort zone, your own language and culture. You want to express so much in Dutch, but you lack the right words.’ He considers the iftars to be an important step towards integration. ‘It’s one step outside and another one inside.’ The step inside means being in contact with people from your own culture. ‘You can speak your own language and see familiar faces. It ensures that you retain your own identity.”

The iftar meals help with the step outside. ‘That means learning the language and culture, for example and seeking contact with local people. It’s an accessible way to bring people together. You sit at one table and start talking automatically’, says Beyza. ‘Many newcomers find it difficult to build a social life. Hopefully, an iftar like this can plant a small seed for new contacts.’

‘We want to use social media to show students what the evenings are like, because they shouldn’t miss out’

The iftar meals are also aimed at students. Esref: ‘Young people are an important target group because they are the future. They often want to expand their social circle and meet new people.’ Beyza helps with this as a social media editor by creating reports. ‘We want to show what the evenings are like in order to appeal to more students, because in a city like Groningen, they shouldn’t miss out.’ Esref emphasises that the door is always open and wants to encourage everyone to come together. ‘There is a Dutch expression that literally translates as: unknown makes unloved. I turn that around: known makes loved. So don’t be afraid of the unknown and seek each other out.’