Middlesex University hosts The Big Iftar
VDESCRIBED AS “A beautiful demonstration of interfaith dialogue at its best”, The Big Iftar was hosted by Middlesex University to bring the community together for a celebration of Ramadan.
The event in the Rickett Quadrangle of the Hendon campus on March 28, which included a shared meal, was organised in partnership with Barnet Council and the Barnet Multi Faith Forum.
It was attended by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, co-founder of The Big Iftar concept Julie Siddiqi MBE, Bishop John Sherrington, Dr Pratik Sufi from the Islamic Association of North London and Councillor Alison Moore, Mayor of Barnet, as well as other representatives from the Muslim community in Barnet.
“The main speakers, the Chief Rabbi and Julie Siddiqi, honoured us by their presence and articulation of the meaning of the event and the panellists provided us with the intellectual and educational understanding of what Ramadan actually means and the Iftar’s communal significance,” said Esmond Rosen, president of the Barnet Multi Faith Forum.
Monna Rizvi, co-chair of Middlesex Inter Faith Network, described the event as “a beautiful demonstration of interfaith dialogue at its best. The main objective of bringing people together from different faiths and none, from different communities, and sharing a delicious meal with a common desire for interfaith dialogue, was realised and this says a lot for the successful partnership between Middlesex University, Barnet Council and Barnet Multi Faith Forum.”
Professor Carole-Anne Upton, the MDX deputy vice chair for global innovation and impact, said: “I felt genuinely honoured to be invited to be part of it and look forward very much to making this an annual event.”
Rosen said: “The quad looked outstanding, and the atmosphere created by the organisation and planning was excellent.
“The prayers and singing of the Islamia Primary School choir gave us the perfect setting for the presentations and the fabulous food to end the Ramadan day’s fasting.
The Middlesex Inter Faith Network, which helped organise the event, aims to showcase and support the diversity of our community and religious beliefs and help ensure there is representation from all religions and beliefs.
Asmaa Georgiou Islam from the Yusuf Islam Foundation, daughter of Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), founder of Islamia Primary School, said: “Alhamdulillah (praise to God) it was so good to see so many people there, enjoying each other’s company and sharing stories. May Allah reward you and the other organisers for putting on the event and providing the Iftar.”
Stuart Diamond, from Mitzvah Day, said: “I was struck by the astonishing number of participating organisations and individuals. Through the breaking of a fast, people were able to engage in conversations that go a long way to building relationships. The Big Iftar remains a deeply moving and special event on the British interfaith calendar.”