20 Apr Jeremy Corbyn MP and Emily Thornberry MP join community Iftar with Islamic Relief UK
On Tuesday 19 April 2022 (6.30pm) Finsbury Park Mosque and Muslim Welfare House came together to host a community street iftar with the support of Islamic Relief UK. The celebratory event hosted the local community, MPs and government representatives in sharing a free meal to welcome the holy month of Ramadan. This took place at 7 – 11 St. Thomas’s Road London, N4 2QH.
Muslims who are observing Ramadan broke their fast upon sunset, preceded by inspirational talks from key speakers including Jeremy Corbyn MP, Emily Thornberry MP, Rabbi Herschel Gluck, Dr Joanne Grenfell the Bishop of Stepney and Tufail Hussain the Director of Islamic Relief UK amongst others.
The first gathering since the onset of the pandemic and open to all faiths and none, the event aimed to serve neighbours, friends and the local community to share a free meal and enjoy the community spirit.
The Street Iftar Party was first organised in June 2017, days after the terror attack in Finsbury Park Area on Muslim worshipers during the month of Ramadan, a time of spiritual reflection and abstinence from food and drink. This called for the coalescent of communities to silence hatred and empower harmony and resilience, providing a platform to stand in solidarity with ‘hope’.
To date, Islamic Relief UK, Finsbury Park Mosque and The Muslim Welfare House have respectively served the local community in various projects including food distributions, fundraising activities and youth services with an aim to support individuals through the rising cost of living and impacts of the pandemic.
Jeremy Corbyn MP said “The Finsbury Park street iftar, hosted by Finsbury Park Mosque, marks a significant time for the Muslim community in my constituency and across the country, as well as those around the world.
“The holy month of Ramadan is a time of harmony, reflection, growth and helping those most in need, and I look forward to once again joining this wonderful occasion and renewing our commitment to bringing about a world of peace and justice.”
Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said “It is wonderful to come together with Finsbury Park Mosque and Muslim Welfare House to celebrate this year’s street iftar.
“This celebration of communities coming together to mark Ramadan is always special. It is particularly inspiring to see faith and non-faith communities being brought together in the spirit of unity by these important institutions in Finsbury Park.
“Breaking bread with our friends and neighbours is one of the best ways to get to know one another and Islamic Relief UK are so pleased to support this important initiative.”
Toufik Kacim, CEO of Muslim Welfare House said: “We are delighted to be sharing our Iftar/meal with our neighbours and communities this Ramadan again after a long lockdown. Let us celebrate our spirit of joy and happiness with faith and non-faith communities in this precious moment of Ramadan 2022.”
Mohammed Kozbar, Chairman of Finsbury Park Mosque said: “The holy month of Ramadan is an important time for reflection. It is the month of togetherness and belongings and we are glad to see that the street iftar is back again after a challenging two years of the pandemic. We enjoyed meeting our neighbours and community members from all faiths and backgrounds to share iftar with us.”
