One of the biggest celebration events in the Muslim calendar is to take place inside Bristol Cathedral next month.
Cathedral staff are working with Muslims4Bristol and Bridges for Communities to put on a Grand Iftar – the celebration when Muslims get together to break their Ramadan fast at sunset with friends and neighbours of all faiths or none – inside the cathedral.
It will be the third year that Bristol’s Grand Iftar is to take place inside the city’s main Church of England Cathedral, and the Vice Dean of the cathedral said it was part of their mission to open up the building to the people of Bristol.
“We are excited to welcome our brothers and sisters of all faiths and backgrounds to come and enjoy a meal in our building,” said Neil Patterson. “We offer our space for this event in celebration of the things that join us together: living in community together and loving one another. We are very lucky to have a stunning building in the centre of Bristol, and we want to open it up to the people of Bristol, as their Cathedral,” he added.
The Grand Iftar began on St Marks Road in Easton in 2017, and in the years before Covid grew into a huge cultural event for Bristol with thousands sharing meals on the street. Post Covid, organisers decided to hold an event in in the city centre – at College Green in 2023 – with the St Marks Road Iftar remaining for the community in Easton. The cathedral event will take place on Thursday, March 13, from 5pm, and all are welcome.
“The Grand Iftar has been a very special moment shared with our Bristol community since it began in 2017,” said Shenaz Dar, one of the organisers leading the Grand Iftar. “The ethos is to build connection, share special moments across faiths and communities. It shows the beauty of our faith. We seek to correct misperceptions and to show how the beauty of cross-faith events should be. The Grand Iftar is what has brought us together,” she added.
Organisers said the event will see more than 350 people from different faith and community groups come together to share a meal, have conversations, and meet new people. It will be free, fully accessible and open to everyone but because of the limit on numbers, people who want to come should register for the free tickets on Eventbrite.
“As a charity focussed on building social cohesion, we’re excited to see faith communities working together in new ways,” said Dan Green, a director of Bridges for Communities, who are helping to bring the communities together. “Sharing a meal and listening to one another’s traditions and beliefs is a great starting point for dialogue. It doesn’t mean you have to agree about everything, and it’s not about mixing or watering down your beliefs or convictions – it’s about spending time together where you can build on what we have in common.
“We hope that there will be lots of similar opportunities for people to visit other places of worship during the year,” he added.
The cathedral will host the Iftar, which this year has the theme ‘Belonging and Togetherness’, and Iftar prayers will take place outside the cathedral in an adjacent facility.
One of the organisers is Mohamed A Sayaqle. He said he has seen how the Grand Iftar has brought people together. “I have been leading volunteers since 2017, and we are thrilled that the Grand Iftar has moved to the heart of the city, where we now partner with Bristol Cathedral and Bridges for Communities,” he explained.
“Over the years, I’ve witnessed how the Grand Iftar has evolved into a really key event for our city. It brings people from all walks of life together—Muslims and non-Muslims alike—sitting side by side, sharing food and stories. Volunteers play a central role in making this happen, providing warmth, hospitality, and joy to the attendees.
“I’ve seen young people from diverse backgrounds, including Muslims, non-Muslims, and people from neighbouring areas, stepping forward to volunteer. This helps promote a sense of community and underscores the importance of togetherness, community cohesion, and bringing people together,” he added.