Visit to Scunthorpe for Iftar

On Sunday 24th March, members of TCfR were invited by the Baitus Salaam Mosque in Scunthorpe in partnership with the Lincolnshire Faith Council to their Iftar ‘party’. Chair of TCFR, Reverend Steve Holt and Subash Chellaiah attended, and we were very warmly welcomed by Dr Kamrudeen Mohammad, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, Scunthorpe and Dr Muzaffar Ahmed, regional President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Scunthorpe.

Iftar is the meal eaten by Muslims to break their fast after sunset every day during Ramadan. The meal is taken just after the call to the Maghrib prayer, which is around sunset. Some of those in attendance were asked to make a short presentation on their faith and fasting. Reverend Steve spoke about the Christian faith and fasting. This was followed by a member of the Jewish Faith and members of the Muslim faith, all speaking about their faith and fasting.

What was very noticeable was that whilst different faiths fast in different ways, all fast for the same reasons – to enter into a deeper relationship with God. Following the presentations, we were invited to share in their Iftar meal and a chance to speak with each other, meet old friends and make new friendships.