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Muslim community celebrates end of Ramadan

Chris CraddockJersey communities reporter
News imageBBC A group of women stand at a food-serving table, with one person in the foreground wearing a red outfit and serving food onto a plate. Others behind hold plates while waiting in line, with various trays and dishes laid out on the table.BBC
People from different parts of the world come together at the Islamic Centre to break fast during Ramadan

One of the founders of Jersey's Islamic Centre said the island's Muslim community has become more diverse over the years as Ramadan comes to an end.

Muslims around the world have been observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan by not eating or drinking during daylight hours.

It comes to an end on Thursday and between 50 to 70 people have been coming to the centre each evening to break fast each day.

Dr Sarfaraz Jamali said there was "quite a diverse community" of people at the centre who "come from African countries, Sub-Saharan countries, Arab countries, India, Pakistan, [and] the UK as well".

News imageSarfaraz is wearing a light-coloured knitted sleeveless sweater over a checked shirt stands indoors in a room with green panelled walls. A framed artwork hangs on the wall behind, and a wooden doorway is visible to the right.
Dr Sarfaraz Jamali said Ramadan was a chance to share cultures from around the world in Jersey

Ramadan remembers the month the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Jamali said breaking fast "gives us a sense of community as well as togetherness".

He added: "We learn from each other, from our cultures and how they do this around the world and how we do it, so this is a wonderful feeling."

He first moved to Jersey from Pakistan more than 20 years ago.

"When we first came to Jersey - I remember we were only two of four people from my country who used to celebrate Eid so it has been constant persistent hard work behind it [the Islamic Centre] and it has grown very nicely with a lot of influx lately."

News imageHermain is wearing a patterned outfit with a maroon head covering stands indoors in front of a wooden structure with rectangular sections. The background includes warm-toned walls and dim lighting.
Hermain Mustafa said observing Ramadan with others has helped her settle into the island

Hermain Mustafa moved to Jersey from Pakistan with her husband earlier this month.

She said she was "very excited to see the holy month of Ramadan".

"It helps me and my husband to miss home a little bit less," Mustafa added.

She added: "I didn't expect the community to be this big.

"It's been good to meet people from other places aside from Pakistan because there are people from all over the world here."

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