Iftars Galore in the Last 10 Days of Ramadan

Muslims across the UK are inviting friends and neighbours to join them in breaking their fast during the remainder of the month of Ramadan.

This year’s Iftar events have proved extremely successful in building community cohesion while providing a much needed platform for education.

And the opportunity of tucking into some delicious dishes while learning about the true spirit of Islam continues into the final week of fasting.

International charity group, Human Appeal, has organised a community Iftar in Birmingham to raise money for victims of the famine in Somalia.

With free food being served at La Favorita eatery on Alfred Street at 8pm tomorrow, three members of the restaurant’s family will also be taking on Mount Snowdon to raise money.

Zaira, Abira and Ines will be climbing the highest mountain in Wales on 26 July with the aim of hitting £10,000 to help six million Somalians, over half the population, who require major humanitarian assistance.

For those who can’t join, donations can be made online on their Just Giving page.

The Great Get Together, an initiative inspired in memory of late MP Jo Cox, is behind an Iftar hosted by Three Faiths Forum this evening in London.

With “vegetarian food and a chance to discover the signifigance of Iftar and Ramadan to Muslims”, doors will open at 8pm with dinner scheduled for around 9.20pm.

The Islamic Diversity Centre in Stockton-on-Tees has also invited neighbours to a “warm and friendly environment” at Himalaya Buffet Restaurant today on Skinner Street.

The Centre, which aims to “challenge stereotypes and remove misconceptions by teaching and exhibiting authentic Islam”, will be offering a free 3-course meal.

Meanwhile, the Al Haramain Group UK, a non-profit organisation that promotes the recitation of the Qur’an, has organised, in conjunction with Human Appeal, the “Iftar event of the year” across five different cities around the country.

Along with a mouth-watering 3-course banquet dinner, entertainment will be in the form of nasheeds by well known artists, Castilo Nasheeds and Omar Esa, and “heart melting Qur’an recitation” from world-renowned reciter Dr Abdullah Al Matrood of Saudi Arabia.

With free admission and food, seats will be limited and strict advanced booking is required for the remaining two events in Manchester on 25 Ramadan, and East London on 27 Ramadan.

Registered charity, The Dialogue Society, has also organised community Iftars in Basingstoke and Rochester.

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Dean, Cllr Paul Frankum, will be giving a welcome speech at 8.30pm in Queen Mary College on 22 June.

While an annual dialogue dinner will be held, in partnership with Fellowship Educational Society and Axis Education, at St Peter with St Margaret Church Hall in Rochester on 24 June.