Virtual interfaith event between religious communities in Milton Keynes planned for Ramadan

With restrictions still in place, this year's, Great Get Together, will be held virtually on Sunday April 25.

The event brings together members of the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh communities.

Trubys Garden Tea Room, an outreach group, organise the event, this year's virtual ceremony will take place at Milton Keynes College.

The purpose of Trubys is to establish more interfaith dialogue between Muslims and the wider community of Milton Keynes.

Itfar, is the meal eaten at the end of the day during Ramadan. The event allows those fasting to enjoy that well-earned first meal at the start of their fast with others, albeit virtually.

Plenty is planned for the event, with music and poetry, speeches, recitations from the Quran all confirmed, and organisers promising 'much more'.

Event organiser, Kurshida Mirza, says, “I’m delighted to be working with our partners to invite the communities of Milton Keynes to the Great Get Together Iftar. It is such a privilege to be

able to share the beauty of Ramadan with the wider community. The essence of the Great Get Together Iftar remains 'we are far more united and have far more in common than that which

divides us' as our collective experience of Lockdown demonstrates.”

The event offers non-Muslims an opportunity to experience and observe the spirit of Ramadan.

A spokesperson for the event said: "This year’s event will particularly aim to share experiences of lockdown and bring a message of hope for the future."

A week before the Iftar, plans are in place to distribute Ramadan Food Hampers to a hundred vulnerable families in the city. Nominations for those who will receive

the gift have come via referrals from The Red Cross (refugee families), African Diaspora Foundation, Syrian Refugee Families and others. Anyone who wants to make a donation

towards the hampers is asked to visit this fundraising page.

Community engagement manager at Milton Keynes College, Rebecca Myrie, is on the organising committee and she says, “Milton Keynes College is proud to support The Great Get Together Iftar that celebrates and strengthens our diverse community.

"We have seen the event grow and develop since it first started in 2017 and are excited to be part of it in 2021. The ethos behind the celebration is particularly important as we cope with the global pandemic. Sharing messages of hope and positivity help us to connect, reducing isolation and increasing understanding for the people of Milton Keynes.”