Getting ready for Ramadan,
together.

Faith, imagination and a shared welcome

Preparing for Ramadan can begin with something simple: making time to learn, reflect and connect with one another. That was the focus of Ihsan Youth’s Sha’ban Youth Gathering, advertised for Sunday 25 February 2024 at our centre on University Street in Belfast.

The invitation set aside an evening from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm for young people and families, with a programme combining creative competitions, a Ramadan reminder and time to enjoy each other’s company.

Two challenges, plenty of imagination

Children aged 6–12 were invited to build a masjid for Ramadan. The challenge put creativity at the heart of their preparations, offering a practical way to think about a place of prayer and community.

For teenagers aged 13–16, the invitation was to write a short story about a person or an event that helped them appreciate Allah. It offered space for reflection and for young people to express what faith meant in their own lives.

The poster announced prizes for first, second and third place in each age category, recognising both the younger children’s making and the teenagers’ writing.

Making room for family time

Alongside the competitions, the advertised programme included a Ramadan reminder from a sheikh, games, goody bags and pizza for registered participants. Mums were also welcomed for refreshments and desserts.

With learning, play and reflection on the same programme, the invitation captured an important part of life at Ihsan: helping young people connect with their faith while making space for families to come together.

From our community archive

We’re sharing the original poster as a memory of the gathering and its preparations for Ramadan in 2024. The date and registration details on it belong to that past event.