Multifaith message of peace at Ramadan event

3 hours ago

Jon Wrightin Ipswich

News image — The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Grenfell spoke with mosque volunteer Shoomi Chowdhury about the importance of sharing food together

Jon Wright/BBC A woman dressed in a Christian clergy black robe and collar stands next to a women wearing a Muslim headscarf. — The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Grenfell spoke with mosque volunteer Shoomi Chowdhury about the importance of sharing food together

People at a Ramadan celebration have been told more interfaith understanding is needed because "the world is a very perilous place".

The message was echoed by speakers at Ipswich mosque during a community Iftar meal on Sunday, including those of Muslim, Christian and Sikh backgrounds.

The event came as conflict between Iran, Israel and the US escalated and off the back of an alleged attack at a mosque in Manchester.

"We increasingly live in a volatile world where people, mad people, do strange things," said Mojlum Khan, who was one of the speakers.

"Some of our public figures do not help that situation by fanning the flames of division and hatred."

Jon Wright/BBC A white or cream-painted room of men kneeling forward in prayer. They are wearing various different coloured jackets and jumpers. — The event included speeches before breaking fast at 17:40 GMT, followed by prayers

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Right Reverent Dr Joanne Grenfell, spoke about the importance of finding commonality.

"Hospitality is about more than sharing food, it's about really making space for each other, really sitting down across the table; listening," she said.

"Then from that friendship you can stand together against the threats that come from outside; either around the edges of our own communities or when you see what's happening in the world, and where there isn't peace."

Shoomi Chowdhury, a volunteer at the mosque, said: "[Ramadan] is always a moment to come together as a community, and that community doesn't just mean just Muslims but the whole community; our neighbourhood, our Christian friends, our Jewish friends.

"We need more role models who are showing the power of community, not the power of division."

Khan, who is a writer and scholar as well as working for the Suffolk charity BSC Multicultural Services, referenced the recent alleged attack in Manchester as well as the other ongoing conflicts around the world.

"We can't bury our heads in the sand and assume these things are not happening, they are happening and we have to be very vigilant everywhere in all of our mosques and institutions throughout the country," he said.

"Internationally, as you know, the world is a very perilous place. "