It was a full house for the Beeston Hill Community Association Community Iftaar on Monday (17 March 2025). The Hamara Centre was buzzing with over 150 people in attendance who came to break the fast Muslims in south Leeds are observing for the month of Ramadan.
One of the organisers Shaz told :
“The Iftaar had an amazing turn out with many people of different cultures and beliefs. I’m so thankful for those who helped fund and support the event. The community spirit was in full swing. All the hard work and effort most definitely put in definitely paid off. We outdid last year Iftaar for sure!”
Another of the organisers, Sam, told us she has been helping out Shaz offering her creative skills. She told us:
“I’ve got a lot of friends that are Muslim and I just thuink it’s good that we can learn about people’s religions to get a better understanding”
Chloe, who is a Muslim Revert, told us she came from Dewsbury to support one of the organisers and added “it’s nice to see Muslims, non-Muslims, people of different colours and religions just all get together and be as one, the way it should be”.
Sarata was helping out and she told us:
“It shows how much of a diverse place Beeston is, and it also shows how when we come together as a community we are stronger than divided. And we saw it in the summer when we saw the far right … Beeston is one of those places where we all get along, we all share our culture and religion and I think it’s a wonderful thing that we’ve come here today.”
In addition to an amazing array of food, there were activities for children, some poems were read plus welcomes from the organisers and a local Imam. Imam Muhammad Ahmad Saamir Arshad of Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Leeds commented:
“On Monday, we came together as one community, united by kindness, compassion, and understanding. This Iftaar was more than a meal, it was a reminder of the strength of togetherness.“Ramadan teaches patience, generosity, and self-reflection, values that go beyond faith and bind us all as human beings. As we broke bread, we remembered all those facing hardship and oppression, both near and far. From the homeless on the streets of Leeds and across the UK to those suffering injustice around the world, we stand in solidarity with them.“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that the ummah is like one body. When one part suffers, the whole body feels the pain.”
Sam summed up the evening saying:
“I think Beeston is brilliant, it gets put down quite a lot, but the community here and how people get on is just absolutely amazing”.
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