Turnout is good at 'Unity Iftar' event
The 'Unity Iftar' event at the European Islamic Centre in Oldham saw a good turnout, with local leaders and community representatives in attendance. The event included an exhibition about Islam, a presentation on Ramadan, and a three-course meal, aiming to foster community engagement and understanding.
Oldham hosts inter-faith meal to explain Ramadan
More than 100 non-Muslim guests were invited to break fast at the European Islamic Centre on Monday evening for the annual “Unity Iftar”.
Mayor Zahid Chauhan, council leader Arooj Shah and deputy mayor Eddie Moores joined police officers, college students and faith representatives for the three-course meal served after sunset.
Imam Hammadur Rahman, a barrister who leads the centre, opened the evening with a talk on why Muslims fast during the holy month. Visitors then toured a seven-year-old food bank that supports 50 local families every fortnight, viewed an Islam exhibition and saw the centre’s games room.
The event is organised each year by the UK Islamic Mission (UKIM), which arranges similar gatherings in mosques and community halls nationwide. A UKIM spokesperson said the programme aims to “build bridges between neighbourhoods” during Ramadan, observed by an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide.
Councillor Moores said conversations around the tables had corrected “a lot of misinformation online” and proved that “bringing people together works”. Mayor Chauhan added that sharing the meal helps residents “appreciate each other” and “build stronger communities” in the borough.
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