This week, I had the honour of joining some friends for an Iftar meal, to break the Ramadan fast. After a guided tour of the mosque, we sat down to eat together. The atmosphere was friendly. The conversation was thought-provoking. And the food was simply delicious.
I’m not the only Jewish person to have partaken in such a meal. Indeed, if my social media timeline is anything to go by, Iftar meals are now the must-attend event for all liberal minded Jews.
Everyone is at it. Alyth Synagogue in Golders Green hosted an Iftar meal, as part of the Faiths Forum for London’s Big Iftar. Meanwhile, Chief Rabbi Mirvis hosted an inter-faith Iftar at St Johns Wood synagogue, attended by political and religious dignitaries, including Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London; the Bishop of London, and the Archbishop of Westminster. Other Jewish communities have hosted similar events.
As concerns about antisemitism and Islamophobia grow, such events are vital. They help fortify relationships between the Jewish and Muslim communities, and act as a reminder of all that we share.
