Ramadan Mubarak!
Beeston Hill Community Association (BHCA) is holding a free Community Iftar Event in collaboration with Hamara Healthy Living Centre on Tempest Road next Monday (25 March 2024) between 5:30-8pm.
This will be a wonderful opportunity for friends and neighbours, of all beliefs, to come together to break-fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
We will share delicious food and good company as we come together in the spirit of unity.
For Muslims, Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and fasting during Ramadan is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. It’s a holy month and a very spiritual time for people of Muslim faith.
Iftar is the name for breaking of the fast at sunset. All around the world, Muslim people fast for 30 days during the holy month. This means no food or water from just before sunrise all the way until sunset. Of course, there are exemptions from fasting which are usually for medical or hardship reasons.
Upon asking some of our non-Muslim committee members and the wider community, it was a general theme that there is an awareness of Ramadan and fasting, but not many people who are non-Muslim had attended an Iftar and didn’t know what it really means to Muslim people and why it’s so important.
One of BHCA’s founding committee members, Shaz Aktar suggested that, as the association’s next public meeting was going to be held during Ramadan, at the time when many people would be breaking their fast, a Community Iftar would be a brilliant way of bringing the broader community together. This would create a chance to learn about Muslim beliefs and different cultures – offering the opportunity to experience a traditional Iftar, build unity, respect, and form meaningful relationships.
Shaz said:
“Fasting reminds us of those all around the world who live in poverty, no matter what religion, race or colour you are. With so much hurt going on the in the world Iftar is a great way to show that we can live together in harmony, and that people are the power.”
Shaz has worked hard speaking to local caterers, businesses and individuals who have generously donated their food and money and time to enable this event to happen.
If you would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking the Just Giving link or scanning the QR code and supporting our local community.
There will be a wonderful selection of delicious dishes for people to share together throughout the evening.
The Iftar event will include a short speech from a local Imam, explaining what Ramadan is, then at sunset, promptly which is expected a little after 6pm, the fast will be broken with water, dates, and fruit.
This will be followed by some prayers before the rest of the food is served.
Due to the nature of the event, this is a ticket only event. Please book in advance using this link. To avoid disappointment, book early as places are limited.
We hope you can join us for this very special event!
This post was written by Sarah Hutchinson, Shaz Aktar and Natalie Armitage
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