The Big Iftar: Dates in the Square

On Friday 24th of March, Himmah partnered with HumanKind to host a Ramadan event called ” The Big Iftar: Dates in the Square”. Himmah is a social justice organisation with a mission to tackle food poverty, racism and educational inequalities. HumanKind ambassadors were present at the event as they aimed to inform the British public about the significance of Ramadan in the Muslim faith and provided an opportunity for people to ask any questions about this important time of year. Along with raising awareness for those surviving on food banks such as Himmah.

As the sun began to set, the event organisers called out the Adhaan (Islamic call to prayer) and HumanKind ambassadors distributed dates and water to all attendees, signalling the end of the fast for those who were observing Ramadan. Members of Himmah and HumanKind were on hand to distribute literature and engage in conversation with anyone interested in learning more about Ramadan. Together, the crowd broke their fast, sharing in a beautiful moment of community and togetherness.

Following the breaking of the fast, attendees were treated to a delicious spread of food, including traditional dishes from the Muslim world. This left everyone at the event feeling nourished and satisfied!

One of the most inspiring aspects of the event was the number of people who showed up to demonstrate their solidarity with those fasting during Ramadan. Some attendees even decided to fast themselves, in a powerful show of support for their local Muslim communities.

Muskaan Jamshed, the project coordinator for HumanKind, spoke to the attendees and emphasized the importance of promoting and respecting the bonds of humanity regardless of race and religion. Her message was focused on fostering peaceful coexistence in communities, and it left a lasting impact on her audience. Councillor David Mellen, the city council leader, was also in attendance and delivered a heartfelt speech about the importance of showing solidarity with the Muslim community in Nottingham.

Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was one of warmth, inclusion, and community. People from all walks of life came together to learn, share, and break bread together, a beautiful display of the spirit of Ramadan.

At the end of the event, attendees left with a deeper understanding of the Muslim faith and a greater appreciation for the diversity of their community. “Dates in the Square” was truly a special event, and we can only hope that more initiatives like this will be undertaken in the future, helping to build bridges and foster greater understanding between different communities.

“Dates in the Square” was truly a special event, one that will be remembered fondly by all those who attended. The organisers at Himmah and HumanKind deserve credit for their efforts in putting on such a thoughtful and inclusive event, and we can only hope that there will be more opportunities in the future for communities to come together in this way.

Written By Fatima Javed (HumanKind Ambassador)