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Grand Iftar takes place in Bristol Cathedral nave
Dozens of people gathered in the nave of Bristol Cathedral for Bristol’s annual Grand Iftar.
Following the success of the Grand Iftar on College Green in 2023, the event inside the cathedral was a special collaboration between faith communities in Bristol with the theme of hope.
The evening was organised by Muslims4Bristol in partnership with Bristol Cathedral and Bridges for Communities.
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The Grand Iftar took place in the nave of Bristol Cathedral on Thursday evening – photo: Rob Browne
One of the Grand Iftar organisers, Mohamed El Sharif, called the event “unique and historical”.
He said in a Facebook live video: “It’s to show unity and peace and is an interfaith event. This is the first Grand Iftar inside the cathedral, a historical event to happen here with all volunteers…
“We have had fantastic support from the Muslim community across the city and beyond.”
The Grand Iftar started in Bristol in 2017, shortly after the Manchester Arena bombing.
It has become an opportunity to celebrate Bristol’s diversity, with non-Muslims joining the celebrations to experience the breaking of the fast.
The Grand Iftar on Thursday night was sponsored by Feeding Bristol, Black2Nature, St Peter’s Hospice, IHRM and other community partners.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, with an iftar being the breaking of the fast – photo: Rob Browne
In recent years, the cathedral has been the location of light shows, concerts and film screenings, as well as a charity fire walk outside.
But none of these attracted the ire of below-the-line commenters, some of who claimed that the Grand Iftar should not have been taking place in a Christian place of worship.
Protesters outside the cathedral carrying Palestine flags also attempted to draw attention to political involvement in the event, with one banner saying: ‘Shame on the Labour Party. While you eat well, children in Gaza are being intentionally starved to death.’
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Attendees inside from the Labour Party included MPs Thangam Debbonaire and Kerry McCarthy, deputy mayor Asher Craig and Bristol Labour group leader Tom Renhard; with other political representatives including Bristol Conservative group leader Mark Weston and Green Party police & crime commissioner candidate Katy Grant.
Avon & Somerset police chief constable Sarah Crew was also at the event with several other senior officers.
The Grand Iftar is an opportunity to celebrate Bristol’s diversity, with non-Muslims joining the celebrations to experience the breaking of the fast – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne; videos: Martin Booth
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