Venray Iftar Event Breaks Barriers and Fosters Community Connections
Residents of Venray came together for a unique iftar event, blending Ramadan and Lent traditions. The evening encouraged new conversations, shared stories, and cultural exchange, highlighting the power of community and curiosity in bridging divides.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Venray Iftar |
| Location | Raayland College, Venray |
| Date | June 6, 2024 (held last Thursday) |
| Organizers | Raayland College, Roman Catholic Church Venray, Protestant community Venray, Haci Bayram Mosque, Islamic Center Venray/Mosque Brukske, Venray-Gennep Police, Kusters Scholing & Training, Municipality of Venray |
| Participants | Residents of Venray, diverse backgrounds and ages |
| Key Activities | Shared meal, conversation starter cards, cultural exchange |
| Speakers | Bram van Dieten (acting rector), Mayor Michiel Uitdehaag, Dean Smeets, Reverend Boon, Imam of Turkish and Moroccan mosques |
| Food Served | Moroccan dishes: soup, spring rolls, rice, baklava |
The municipality of Venray plays a key role in fostering social cohesion and community engagement by supporting local initiatives that bring residents together. Events like this iftar align with the municipality's broader goals of promoting inclusivity and dialogue among diverse cultural and religious groups.
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Gathering at the Table: Venray Iftar Brings Residents Closer Together
Last Thursday, an iftar was held at Raayland College, organized by a broad group of Venray partners. During this evening, when Ramadan and Christian Lent intersected, residents came together around one shared table. With food, stories, and conversations, the evening focused on connection, fellowship, and reconciliation.
New Conversations
Upon arrival, each guest was assigned a color, which determined the table they would sit at. This deliberate choice placed visitors next to people they might not normally speak to. It resulted in mixed groups with diverse backgrounds and ages. This arrangement fostered new conversations and unexpected connections.
Sharing Stories
The evening began with brief welcome words from Bram van Dieten (acting rector of Raayland College), Mayor Michiel Uitdehaag, Dean Smeets, Reverend Boon, and the imam of the Turkish and Moroccan mosques. Shortly after, the fast was broken together. The aroma of Moroccan dishes filled the auditorium: from soup and spring rolls to flavorful rice and baklava. The food served as an accessible way to share stories and get to know each other better.
From Questions to Meaningful Conversations
At the tables, the conversation starter cards proved to be surprisingly effective in sparking dialogue. “What is your name, and does it have a meaning?” or “How many languages do you speak?” Simple questions often led to rich answers. It showed how quickly genuine conversations arise when curiosity is encouraged.
Broad Collaboration in Venray
The iftar was organized by Raayland College, the Roman Catholic Church Venray, the Protestant community Venray, the Haci Bayram Mosque, the Islamic Center Venray/Mosque Brukske, the Venray-Gennep Police Basic Team, Kusters Scholing & Training, and the municipality of Venray. According to alderman Martin Leenders, this broad collaboration is exactly what the evening represents. “This iftar showed how beautiful it is when people truly meet each other. Sometimes it starts with just one curious question and a bit of courage to look beyond your own bubble. I am grateful to all the organizations and volunteers who made this possible together. It is remarkable to enjoy something that transcends cultures.”