In Birmingham, free iftars are being held at mosques throughout this month

And now an event this weekend offers the opportunity for people of all faiths to attend a massive community iftar in Birmingham.

The Balsall Heath Street Iftar takes place on Sunday, May 27, from 8pm to 10.30pm.

It’s being held on the car park of Birmingham Optical at 580 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, B12 9BL.

Organisers said: “Join your neighbours for a celebration of food, activities, and stalls to celebrate the breaking of fast in Ramadan. Everyone is welcome in a sharing of culture and connection.”

Local organisations led by the Clifton Road Mosque Interfaith Committee, the Muslim Student House, Zaf’s Cash and Carry and other local mosques and organisations have got together to host and organise the event.

Dr Noha Nasser, Director of MELA Social Enterprise, is co-ordinating the event. She organised the We Are Balsall Heath Street Festival in April.

She said: “Last year’s intercultural Street Iftar was a huge success. By popular demand, we want to do it again but bigger and better.

“We are anticipating a minimum of approximately 2,000 people attending the iftar. Everyone is welcome.

“The entire event is organised by local community grassroots organisations and groups leading in Birmingham for their interfaith and community cohesion work.”

The organisers said: “We believe it is events like these that make us stronger as a neighbourhood. We can meet our neighbours, make new friends, and build things together that are for the greater good.

“And how’s this going to change the world? The Street Iftar is a small, collective initiative that will demonstrate we are united in our values and not divided.

“It is small initiatives like these that if scaled up will bring peace and harmony amongst people. Without hanging out together, misperceptions breed.”

“The event is for people of all backgrounds to break fast together at 9.15pm and share food, values and time together.”

Organisers are also looking for help with covering the costs of the event.

Donations can be given towards food, dates, water and fruit, as well as the costs of marquees, 50 tables, 400 chairs, lighting, a generator, waste disposal and the printing of a street banner and posters.

You can donate at the crowdfunding page for the event

Volunteers are also needed to set up, help with food and clean up, from 6pm to 11.30pm.

Pledges – including sponsorship, promotion, volunteers, activities or other offers of support – have so far come from Unity FM, Zaf’s Cash and Carry, Clifton Road Mosque, Dabur, Rubicon, Human Appeal, Bahu Trust, Lady Zainab Helping Hands, Mend, A2Z Autoparts with in-kind support from the Muslim Student House, Al-Husseinya Mosque, Ever So Special Marquees, Islamic Relief, Hope Not Hate, WARN, Odara, Ort Gallery and Active Streets.

Source: Birmingham Mail: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/birmingham-street-iftar-2018-announced-14707553