People from around the London northeast borough of Waltham Forest gathered to share Ramadan iftar meal at the invitation of the city council, East London & West Essex Guardian reported.
“Saturday’s Open Iftar event on the grounds of the town hall was a perfect example of people from all walks of life – young children, teenagers, different ethnicities, people of all faiths and none – joining together to share a communal experience, to eat great food and to meaningfully connect with one another,” Councilor Vicky te Velde, who gave the closing speech at the end of the event, said.
“It represented all that is great about Waltham Forest.”
Waltham Forest Council invited people to join with the Muslim community at an Open Iftar event on Saturday.
The idea of holding an ‘open Iftar’ was to invite people across the community – religious, non-religious, young and old, families and single people, to share the spirit of Ramadan with Muslims.
Organizers had planned for 400 people to come, but in the end 600 meals were handed out and 700 people were recorded as attending.
The event was held as part of the Connecting Communities Program, which aims to unlock the collective power of Waltham Forest residents, by creating a borough that feels like home for everyone.
The event was widely celebrated on social media.
Amazing experience breaking fast with my Waltham Forest community #TasteRamadan #WFOurPlace pic.twitter.com/nkQKR0VHfJ
— Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen) May 18, 2019
#TasteRamadan #Walthamstow #WFOurPlace sunset and the community finally get to break their fast together. #Alhamdulillah. pic.twitter.com/Bj87LPmvgD
— WFIA Lea Bridge Road Jamia Ghousia Masjid (@wfialondon) May 18, 2019
Brilliant #OpenIftar event organised by @wfcouncil & #WalthamForestMosques – it’s exactly the kind of event that shows how great & important community cohesion & tolerance is! Well done 2 all involved! pic.twitter.com/3PxV2W8V7N
— Aslam Alavi (@aslamalavi) May 18, 2019
Joyful atmosphere at Open Iftar on the grounds of the Town Hall, where Connecting Communities has teamed up with WFCOM, to unite our borough’s rich & varied faiths for an event celebrating Ramadan and the breaking of fast – speakers include @HiboWardere and many more! #WFOurPlace pic.twitter.com/SfjWskVAGQ
— WalthamForestCouncil (@wfcouncil) May 18, 2019
Memorable evening! Beautiful venue, great company, tasty food – super effort by the Connecting Communities team led by @VickyteVelde supported by WFCOM in organising (in 3 weeks!!) the biggest Open Iftar @wfcouncil & bringing neighbours together from all backgrounds #WFOurPlace pic.twitter.com/rZcCyHsM82
— Ahsan Khan (@AhsanKhan_wf) May 18, 2019
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting when Muslims are required to avoid all food and drink between sunrise and sunset. Moreover, they’re also encouraged to increase their charitable efforts and doing good deeds.
Joined iftar meals have become a basic part of the holy month, during which people come together.
Last week, British Muslims, Christians, Jews and others of faith, along with those of none gathered for the 2019 City Circle Interfaith Iftar at St James’s Church in Piccadilly.
Earlier this month, the Naz Legacy Foundation delivered the first ever iftar at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 7, bringing together British Muslim and non-Muslim leaders.