Ramadan in the United Kingdom: a large interconfessional Iftar at Bristol Cathedral

Bristol cathedral, the major city in southwest England, is about to welcome its great Iftar for the second year on March 13. Hundreds of people are expected for this Ramadan fasting meal, organized jointly by the cathedral, the Muslims4bristol and Bridges for Communities association.

Born in 2017 in response to the Manchester Arena attack, this initiative aims to promote peace and unity between communities. “It is an opportunity to meet people that we would not usually meet”explains Saliha Ahmed of the Pakist organizationHelp anaise. The Reverend Canon Neil Patterson underlines the importance of this gathering: “We want to contribute to a better mutual understanding in our city”. To facilitate exchanges, thematic cards will be distributed to the guests.

The event, which offers a vegetarian and vegan menu, will start at 5:00 p.m. The organizers recommend a preliminary registration. The Ramadan 2025 takes place from March 1 to March 30, culminating with the celebrations of Eid El-Fitr. This approach reflects a significant development in interreligious dialogue in the United Kingdom. The organization of an IFTAR in an Anglican cathedral illustrates a growing will of British religious institutions to create bridges between the different confessions, in an increasingly multicultural society.