About Us
Bringing communities together one iftar at a time
In 2012 when London hosted the Olympic Games, the whole world came to our country. It was a moment of national pride, high level sport, a positive showcase of culture and diversity. Some of the Games took part in Ramadan so Muslim communities in the UK came together to host Iftars for Muslim sports people from around the world and their families to attend, also inviting others from all backgrounds to share in the experience.
It was well received and positive and so a number of community leaders with some support from Government in those early days (special thanks go to
Baroness Sayeda Warsi) and businesses, got together and created a new and exciting initiative. The Big Iftar was born. Since then it has been led and co-ordinated by Julie Siddiqi and Mustafa Field with partnerships and collaborations spanning across the whole of the UK.
The ‘BIG’ in ‘The Big Iftar’ was inspired by The Big Lunch, successfully run by
Eden Communities. The idea isn’t that every Iftar has to be ‘big’ but that all of our efforts add up to something bigger than any of us individually can do.
Our initial intention was to encourage British Muslims to open up Ramadan more. It is a time of feeding people, sharing the blessings of hospitality, connecting hearts together. At that time in 2013, hard to believe now, but this was not really happening. Muslims are always very generous in Ramadan, sharing food and donating huge amounts of money to charity. But it tended to just be more done among Muslims themselves.
What has happened over the coming years has been incredible.
Building on already trusted friendships and relationships, people of other faiths and diverse communities started exploring the idea of hosting Iftars.
In 2014 two momentous Iftars happened, one at Lambeth Palace, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who hosted the first ever Iftar event there with Muslim community members alongside friends of other faiths. The other was by
Alyth Synagogue in London
and it went down so well and was so well received that they made it an annual event in the Synagogue calendar. In 2022, after only being able to do online events because of the Pandemic, Alyth opened their physical doors again and we were joined by well known TV actress Tracy-Ann Oberman and other special guests. We used the occasion to launch
Thank You Dayamong faith communities.
It is truly humbling to see how much The Big Iftar has grown since 2013.Now it is a common sight to see Muslims and others coming together during Ramadan to break bread together. People have set up new projects and organisations to really share in the experience of Ramadan which is amazing to see and we know that the roots of all of that started from The Big Iftar, back in 2013.
Humble beginnings combined with sincerity and hard work from everyone involved have seen this project grow into one we are proud to continue and look forward to it going to new places and joining together new people from all backgrounds, using the blessed time of Ramadan to build long and lasting friendships and connections across all parts of the UK.
If you want to host an Iftar, attend or find out more, please do contact us
The Holy Month
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion, but it is also a powerful catalyst for unity and community building. The act of fasting during Ramadan creates a sense of solidarity, promotingRamadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion, but it is also a powerful catalyst for unity and community building. The act of fasting during Ramadan creates a sense of solidarity, promoting empathy, compassion, and understanding among people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Read Our Latest Blog
The Big Iftar
Blog for The Big Iftar
By Julie Siddiqi MBE
As we move closer to Ramadan, the excitement and anticipation is once again building. For people who are not Muslim, it’s perhaps hard to understand, why Muslims could get excited about Ramadan,the idea of 30 days of fasting throughout each day with no food and water would seem more like punishment! But as a month it truly is a Blessed time and even in a place like the UK where Muslims are only around 7% of the population, there is a buzz in the build up and then through the month itself.
Of course, it can be challenging but the inner work that takes place during the month is what really counts. We focus a lot on the eating or not eating of food but fasting is much more than that. There is one main place in the Qur’an itself which talks about fasting, including this verse:
“Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you become mindful of God” Qur’an 2:183
And Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, said: “If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during the fast, then God does not care if he abstains from food and drink.”
Giving time and money in charity, helping people, being mindful of others, avoiding gossip, being kind and soft with people, praying, connecting to God, thinking about our lives and how we can be the best versions of ourselves. These are all important aspects of Ramadan.
Through The Big Iftar project I have been privileged to be invited to share food with people in Ramadan in so many settings. All special in their own ways.
Coventry Cathedral was one that stands out for me. The Dean Revd John Whitcombe and I had connected as friends on a leadership programme, he wanted to host an Iftar, went back to his staff and within 6 weeks it was happening, unheard of in a Cathedral calendar in terms of speed of organising! In that event and in so many since then, the humility, care, generosity and love with which the ‘interfaith iftars’ have been hosted is truly something so special it’s hard to fully describe how it feels.
Alyth Synagogue in London is like a second home to me now. This year will be their TENTH Iftar! Hearing the call to prayer being recited in a Synagogue in London is truly a beautiful thing and I hope others can experience it this year if they haven’t before.
And one other Iftar that I will never forget was in a Primary School in Oxford. Supported by brilliant headteacher, Rachel Crouch, the staff and parents made it happen in the most beautiful way. We sat on small children’s chairs in the school hall and prayed Maghrib prayers in the playground. Those moments will always stay with me.
So as we move closer to Ramadan 2023, I am excited and humbled once again as invites and information comes to me of the wonderful gatherings that are being planned by so many people up and down the UK, Muslims and people from all backgrounds and ages.
In times when the world feels like it’s on fire, when we are made to feel by those who shout loudest that there is far more bad than good in the world, when division and hate seem to top the news agenda, I urge you to reach out to each other, be soft, be kind, be open, be generous. Spread the love and hope whenever you can, in person and online.
Ramadan is a beautiful time to see that in action. I hope to see you at an Iftar over the coming weeks.
Julie Siddiqi MBE
Co-founder, The Big Iftar
