Grand Iftar ‘Celebration will be biggest yet’
THE date for this year’s Grand Iftar on St Mark’s Road has been announced – and it is expected to be the biggest since the pandemic.
The popular event in Easton on April 7 will see Muslims come together to eat with non-Muslims during Ramadan to break their fast. It was founded in 2017 following the Manchester arena attack.
The cross-cultural celebration is held each year in the spirit of togetherness and unity among the people of Bristol and is a chance for non-Muslims to learn about Ramadan, during which Muslims fast for a month each year during daylight hours.
This year St Mark’s Road Community Group has collaborated with local businesses, community groups in Easton and the Bristol Palestine Alliance to dedicate the event to the Palestinian people. Large numbers are expected to turn out next month for the first time since 2019.
The events of Covid-19 led to the end of large gatherings, with the 2020 Grand Iftar being held online and the last few years seeing smaller gatherings with restricted numbers.
Free vegetable biryani will be handed out to eat at sunset and participating non-Muslims who are in good health are encouraged to try fasting for the day.
This year’s main event – which will be held in solidarity with the people of Palestine – will begin at 7pm. Two additional Grand Iftar events will be held, one on St Marks Road on the evening of March 28 and another at Bristol Cathedral on Thursday April 4, 2024.
The events organised by Muslims4Bristol are free but require booking via eventbrite. The St Marks Road Grand Iftar on April 7 is a free non-ticketed event.
A spokesperson for St Mark’s Road Iftar team said: “This special evening will be dedicated to commemorating the people of Palestine. We are proud to host this event in collaboration with the Bristol Palestine Alliance, local businesses, and our vibrant community.
“We are excited to revive our annual Grand Iftar, reminiscent of our successful event in 2019 where a record 6,000 people joined us. We are eager to once again celebrate a brilliant and bustling Iftar on St Mark’s Road, ‘The Greatest Street in the country.’
“We note publicity for a separate event being staged on St Mark’s Road scheduled for March 28 also titled “Grand Iftar”. We wish them well. However, it is important to clarify that St Mark’s Road business traders, Easton Jamia Masjid and St Mark’s Road Baptist Church have no involvement in this event on our street.
“While we initially intended to organise a joint event, differing visions for the events led us to host separate gatherings.
“Given the gravity of the situation in Palestine, we believe that any Iftar event should honour and remember those suffering in Palestine this Ramadan.
“We encourage everyone to observe fasting – as best they can – and gather with us on St Mark’s Road at 7pm.
“Let’s break bread together at 7.55pm in solidarity with the people of Palestine, embodying the St Marks Road Community Spirit.”