Grand Iftar returns to Easton for 2022

A celebration that has previously seen thousands of people from different communities and backgrounds come together on St Mark’s Road is back for a scaled-down event.

The Grand Iftar first started as a way of promoting unity and understanding following the terror attack at the Manchester Arena in 2017. It went on to make national headlines, attracting people from far and wide to gather for a free feast to break the fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

This year, the celebration on Thursday evening will be invite-only to minimise Covid risk and limited to just 150 people, with attendees all registered via eventbrite and all places for this year taken.

Despite scaling back from previous years, which saw 6,000 people attend the street celebration in Easton, organisers say it still feels incredibly special to be able to bring people together following two years that have been blighted by the pandemic.

Preparations for the Grand Iftar start months in advance and different communities and individuals play their part to bring everyone together and organise meals so people can share the breaking of the fast.

Previous years have seen thousands of people gather on St Mark’s Road for the breaking of the fast – photo: Ellie Pipe

Some of the organisers talk to Bristol24/7 about what it means to see the Grand Iftar return.

“We have done some engagement with local people and decided we would downsize to 150 people but keep the spirit of the Grand Iftar going. Hopefully, this will be the first step to things getting back to normal,” says Moestak Hussein, a community coordinator and one of the organisers of the Grand Iftar.

“We want this year’s event to be as cohesive and inclusive as possible and that includes making decisions that are right for the local communities and neighbourhood.

“What’s unique about the Grand Iftar is we do not get any funding so each community shares food and contributes. Everyone brings their own cultural food and contributions.”

This year’s Grand Iftar will pay tribute to Hanna Ahmed, a much-loved mum-of-four and community activist who died in 2020. Hanna played a major role in organising the Grand Iftar in previous years and Moestak says she is hugely missed.

Only 150 people are able to attend the in-person event on St Mark’s Road, but Moestak says some 500 meals will be cooked to ensure there is enough to give to people in need.

Shenaz Dar says it’s important to bring people from different communities and backgrounds together and celebrate differences – photo: Ellie Pipe

Shenaz Dar, chair of the Pakistani Welfare Organisation and another organiser of the Grand Iftar, has recently been on a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and is keen to reflect on the holy month of Ramadan and its importance.

“The main thing is to forgive and ask for forgiveness,” says Shenaz.

“It’s not just about fasting, it’s to feel the pain of hunger of people who are not as fortunate as us. We share food with people and pay 2.5 per cent of our wealth to people in need.”

Shenaz says it feels particularly special to be able to bring people together to celebrate after so long of not being able to. She tells Bristol24/7 that organisers have been approached by people of many different faiths, and none, who would like to contribute.

“We manage to bring communities together – everybody who lives in Bristol, regardless of faith, race or background.” continues Shenaz.

“We should get together regardless of differences, and we must give space to differences. We can always get benefit from other people’s experiences, and we should share and learn how to give space to others and give respect to others. We must open our hearts.”

Mohammad Ainul Islam says the Grand Iftar is for people across the city – photo: Ellie Pipe

For Arif Khan, chair of the Council of Bristol Mosques and organiser of the Grand Iftar, it is a very special moment to see the event return as an in-person celebration.

Adding his agreement, Mohammad Ainul Islam, chair of the Bristol Bangladesh Association and fellow organiser, is keen to promote the diversity and inclusivity of the event.

“The Grand Iftar is not only a Muslim community event, but it’s also for people citywide and all communities,” he tells Bristol24/7.

“People could not get out and see each other so this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate. Hopefully next year, we will be back to a full Grand Iftar.”

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read more: Meet the man urging mosques to go plastic-free over Ramadan

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