News / Grand Iftar 2018
‘It’s a golden opportunity for us to share with the community’
It’s no mean feat cooking for some 3,000 people at any time – but when you’ve been fasting for 18 hours, it’s nothing short of incredible.
The Muslim community of Easton invited Bristol to a street party to mark the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. And what a celebration it was, as people from all walks of life, young and old, gathered together to share food and stories.
“We want to open our fast with others and share our faith with people from all backgrounds and faiths,” said Shahid Akram, a member of the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society and volunteer for the evening.
is needed now More than ever
“It’s a golden opportunity for us to share with the community. The buzz is something you cannot even describe.”
Abdul Ismail (left) and Shahid Akram
People came from across Bristol and beyond
Colourful flags fluttered in the warm evening breeze, strung between the buildings of St Mark’s Road, where crowds gathered on specially laid carpets, adorned with flower displays and held in place with bags of rice.
Hordes of volunteers welcomed each and every person who arrived to join in the vast, colourful celebration, thanking them for coming.
Laughter and chatter filled the air as people from across Bristol and beyond gathered to share in the grand Iftar, children ran free, revelling in the party atmosphere, and there were cheers as speaker after speaker took to the stage with messages of love, hope and humanity.
“To forget about the bad stuff and politics and all come together, it gives you faith in humanity,” said Abdul Ismail, a director of the family-run Bristol Sweet Mart and one of the organisers.
“We have had a lot of support from volunteers, the police, the church and mosques and the organising committee,” he told Bristol24/7.
“The women who are cooking for 3,000 people have been fasting for nearly 18 hours. They are the real heroes here.”
Representatives from the Muslim community spoke of Ramadan as a month of peace and tranquillity, a time for reflection – and to share their traditional breaking of the fast with the wider community was something special for all involved.
“This is unique to Bristol, everyone is just welcome,” said Nafisa Mohamed, joining friends and family on the carpeted ground.
Nafisa Mohamed said the event is ‘uniquely Bristol’
Councillor for Easton, Afzal Shah
Bristol lord mayor Cleo Lake
Guest speakers included MPs Thangam Debbonaire and Kerry McCarthy, lord mayor Cleo Lake and metro mayor Tim Bowles.
As the sun went down, teams of volunteers worked non-stop to dish out boxes of rice and chicken, or veggie curry, fruit and desserts en masse. The mosque cut an impressive figure, lights in the dome twinkling against the night sky.
“We can eat now,” said one girl, who had been keeping a watchful eye on the time, box of food unopened in front of her into until it was time to break the fast.
“This is the best community in the whole of the UK,” said someone in the crowd.
Volunteers worked non-stop to hand out the food
At 9.30pm, it was finally time to feast
Bristols biggest street party
Indeed, it was an occasion to be proud of – thanks for the invite.
Read more: ‘Thanks for the warm welcome’
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