A Bolton boxing coach and law graduate hosted an open Iftar event to 1,000 people.
Sannah Adam was one of two hosts of the night at Manchester Cathedral for an ‘Open Iftar’ event led by Young Interfaith and Lancashire Cricket Club, with the initiative by the Ramadan Tent Project.
The event saw leaders from all backgrounds take centre stage and give inspiring talks on the spirit of Ramadan.
Ramadan is a month where Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset in a bid to become more spiritual, religious and to understand the sad plight of many around the world.
Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan.
Sannah Adam said: “It was the first open Iftar, they will do one every single day around the country and it's open to everyone.
“This one was the first one at Manchester Cathedral and we had five speakers.
“It was definitely the most spiritually uplifting kind of event to see everybody get together and a really good quote that came out was a speech by Rabbi Robin who said, ‘I am a rabbi in a cathedral celebrating an iftar and that basically sums it up in one.”
Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham was also at the event and spoke about how the month of Ramadan brought people together in a time of crisis.
The Open Iftar events are a way of celebrating and encouraging community cohesion.
A spokesman from Manchester Cathedral said: “Open Iftar events are the flagship initiative of Ramadan Tent Project, an award-winning charity that brings communities together and spreads the spirit of Ramadan through various initiatives.
“Open Iftar bridges communities; it is a space in which our commonalities are highlighted, our differences celebrated, and human connection is forged. Enjoy engaging speeches, bridge-building, free food, exciting stalls, community cohesion, spiritual reflection, prayers, and great conversations.”
Since 2013, Open Iftar has connected over 500,000 people across the country at some of Britain’s most iconic cultural spaces, from the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Stadium, and Trafalgar Square, to the regional events at Baltic Museum, Bradford’s Centenary Square, Coventry Cathedral and many more.
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