We hope those celebrating the holy month of Ramadan have had a lovely first week and that those who are not observing have had the opportunity to share an experience with their neighbours! If you’re reading this and wondering how to find such an opportunity, please do check out our “Community Iftars” virtual locations within this issue of the Ramadan Journal.
The second issue of the Ramadan Journal is now out. You can read it online.
This issue is specifically on the topic of “Faith and Unity”, and we are excited to share valuable will contributions in this issue, firstly, a journey with Jonathan Gibson on unity beyond faith and second, a journey with Andrew Smith illustrating his beautiful encounters within interfaith work. Of course, we also touch upon areas of arts and cookery and this issue too- we hope you enjoy it!
About Dialogue Society
The Dialogue Society is a registered charity, established in London in 1999, with the aim of advancing social cohesion by connecting communities, empowering people to engage, and contributing to the development of ideas on dialogue and community building. For more information, please visit http://www.dialoguesociety.org.
We are excited to share with you our latest project for this Ramadan, our Ramadan Journal. Published on a weekly basis during Ramadan, this journal will have a total of 4 issues, touching upon varied areas of dialogue, art, and community.
The first issue of the Ramadan Journal is now out. You can read it online.
Our journal is aimed at a wide general audience of all beliefs (or none), with the hope that it can serve as a bridge for mutual understanding. With several contributions from both Muslim and non-Muslim authors, we present our first issue titled “Ramadanification”.
This issue includes:
A-Z of Ramadan: What is Ramadan?
IftarMe – Experience an iftar with a Muslim family
Ramadanification
Arts Corner: Candle Making
Recipes Corner: Dali Bora
May this month of reflection bring us together as our diverse communities and be an opportunity for solidarity in the face of these difficult times we are passing through.
About Dialogue Society
The Dialogue Society is a registered charity, established in London in 1999, with the aim of advancing social cohesion by connecting communities, empowering people to engage, and contributing to the development of ideas on dialogue and community building. For more information, please visit http://www.dialoguesociety.org.
Today, we are excited to launch our new project IftarME!
As Dialogue Society, we have been engaging in diverse community fast-breaking dinners for over 20 years and with IftarMe, we want to play a role in bringing this welcoming spirit even closer to our hearts and into our homes!
So, what is IftarMe?
Inspired by the word “iftar”- a fast-breaking meal, IftarMe involves families preparing delicious meals for their guests at iftar, with whom they will then share the fast-breaking experience within their own homes.
Why is Ramadan important for Dialogue Society?
Through the observation of fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan, Muslims aim to foster a period of reflection, reunification, and spiritual growth. The personal sacrifice of millions of Muslims abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset is a powerful symbol of unity, and an effort to individually reconnect to God and to the services within one’s diverse community. During this month, one of the many aims of Muslims is to bring their local communities (Muslim or not) together around a shared dinner table, our Muslim volunteers aim to bring this spirit to their local communities here in the UK!
Thus, as a community-led project, IftarMeaims to promote social cohesion amongst our diverse communities in the UK and anticipates bringing dialogue into our own homes, promoting a positive influence in our local communities.
IftarMe welcomes everyone
IftarMe is a space for inclusivity, and we are inviting everyone to come together, enjoy good conversation and end their day with a delicious meal. Through this, we hope to strengthen ties and build resilience between different communities in the UK.
How can you participate?
IftarMe initially intended to involve families preparing delicious meals for their guests at iftar in their own homes. However, we’re aware that with the current lockdowns and restrictions, this is not possible. Yet, we have seen a surge in people using alternative online platforms to get together. We will be benefitting from this opportunity to get together for the VirtualIftarMe gatherings for this year.
IftarMe initially intended to involve families preparing delicious meals for their guests at iftar in their own homes. However, due to the current lockdowns and restrictions, this year İftarME will take place virtually.
The event will run virtually by the breaking of the fast with dates delivered by us followed by enjoying a meal with a virtually accompanying family. This will allow accompanying families to share the breaking of fast, a unique moment of togetherness despite the differences, distances, or distancing.
If you would like to join, please fill in the form on the website and we will put you in touch with a host family that will warmly welcome you. Virtual IftarMe will allow households to share their Iftar experiences with one another despite the pandemic.
We hope to keep the festive spirit of unity amongst us this Ramadan, and that despite all difficulties which we’ve been facing this may be an opportunity to rekindle our community relations and grow in strength from one another!
We look forward to hearing your IftarMe success stories!
About Dialogue Society
The Dialogue Society is a registered charity, established in London in 1999, with the aim of advancing social cohesion by connecting communities, empowering people to engage, and contributing to the development of ideas on dialogue and community building. For more information, please visit http://www.dialoguesociety.org.
