Town’s first ever women-only Grand Iftar sells out as 200 sign up

BRANSTON Golf Club is set to host the town’s first ever women’s only Grand Iftar this Ramadan.

On March 25, women from a diverse range of backgrounds will come together for the Iftar – which is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

The event is hosted by new community organisation Burton Unity which aims to bring together women and hard to reach communities through a range of activities, such as rounders and the Iftar.

Organiser Shamreen Gulzar said that tickets flew out for the now sold-out event, with more than 200 people signing up in just six days.

She added: “We’re creating an exclusive space for women from diverse backgrounds and different faiths to come together to experience Ramadan. People can share their stories, share their talents, their skills and that is the focal point of the iftar itself.

“Some children and adults will be sharing poetry, some people will be singing and a few speeches form various different people and then we’ll be having food. After food it’ll be tea and open chit-chat so people can mingle and get to know each other.”

Burton Unity which was set up in January aims to provide culturally specific support & interventions crafted through lived experiences.

Shamreen said: “People outside of the Muslim community say to me that they really want to know more about Ramadan and be involved. When I was the only Muslim in work, people would open their fast with me so I knew there was this yearning for learning. In all of this it’s quite nice to be united.”