{"id":44288,"date":"2014-06-27T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-06-27T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=296afef10e19e0386b5988ee88b7d098"},"modified":"2014-06-27T08:30:00","modified_gmt":"2014-06-27T08:30:00","slug":"news-story-big-iftar-meal-opens-to-more-people-than-ever-before","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=44288","title":{"rendered":"News story: Big Iftar meal opens to more people than ever before"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mosques and Islamic centres across the country will be throwing open their doors throughout July and cooking meals for the whole community to mark the special month of Ramadan.<\/p>\n

Communities will get the chance to join in with the Muslim fast breaking meal – known as the iftar – in more than 100 events in towns and cities across the country. <\/p>\n

The \u2018Big Iftar\u2019 began last year in the wake of the horrific Woolwich attack with more than 30 events in its first year, but has grown in popularity for this year with more than 3 times as many community meals planned.<\/p>\n

Neighbourhoods will get the chance to enjoy traditional cuisine while watching World Cup matches on big screens. There will be a Big Iftar event on the banks of the River Thames and \u2018flash mob\u2019 iftars which could spring up in any park or high street in the country.<\/p>\n

Faith and Communities Minister Baroness Warsi said the events would help bring people of all faiths together and break down barriers within communities.<\/p>\n

Baroness Warsi said:<\/p>\n

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This year the Big Iftar will be bigger and better than ever. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing events happening across the country from mosques, synagogues and other places of worship to parks and town centres – bringing together communities of all faiths and none.<\/p>\n

There is no better way of breaking barriers and forming friendships than by sharing a meal together and Ramadan is the perfect time to reach out to our neighbours and strengthen relationships.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This year multi-faith iftars will also be taking place in synagogues, the Muslim-Jewish Forum are hosting an iftar open to people of all faiths and none. Both vicars and rabbis will be speaking at events.<\/p>\n

Julie Siddiqi, National Coordinator of the Big Iftar said:<\/p>\n

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The Big Iftar is a brilliant opportunity for Muslims in the UK to open up Ramadan. To bring together the best of what the month has to offer: hospitality, spirituality, caring for others and of course good food! We are saying to Muslims, invite your friends and neighbours in to your Iftars in your homes, in your mosques, in your centres to share good food and conversation with new friends.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Further information<\/h2>\n

Big Iftars will be held across Birmingham, Essex, Great Yarmouth, London, Leicester, Maidenhead, Manchester, Middlesborough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Peterborough, Stoke, Slough and Watford.<\/p>\n

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For more information visit:<\/p>\n