On Tuesday 2 April 2023 (6.15 – 8:30 pm) Finsbury Park Mosque and Muslim Welfare House came together to host a community street iftar with the support of Islamic Relief UK. The celebratory event hosted the local community, and local representatives in sharing a free meal as part of Ramadan.
This took place at 7 – 11 St. Thomas’s Road London, N4 2QH.
Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims who will go without food and water from sunrise to sunset. It helps create empathy for others who are hungry and is also a time when people give huge amounts of money to charity.
Muslims observing Ramadan broke their fast upon sunset, preceded by inspirational talks from key speakers including Jeremy Corbyn MP, Rabbi Herschel Gluck,
Cllr Kaya Comer Schwartz (Leader of the council), Pastor Edbert Abebe, The Mayor of Islington Cllr Gary Heather and Hina Bokhari (Liberal Democrat member of the London Assembly).
The gathering was open to all faiths and none, and aimed to serve neighbours, friends and the local community to share a free meal and enjoy the community spirit.
The Street Iftar Party was first organised in June 2017, days after the terror attack in Finsbury Park Area on Muslim worshipers during the month of Ramadan. This called for the coalescent of communities to silence hatred and empower harmony and resilience, providing a platform to stand in solidarity with ‘hope’.
To date, Islamic Relief UK, Finsbury Park Mosque and The Muslim Welfare House have respectively served the local community in various projects including food distributions, fundraising activities and youth services with an aim to support individuals through the rising cost of living.
Jeremy Corbyn, MP Islington North said: “The annual street is a fantastic idea and it shows the strength of this mosque, the way it survives and thrives and does so much good for the community as does Muslim Welfare House across the road.
“It’s that spirit that has supported people, fed people, helped people and given people a sense of hope in their lives when life is difficult…
“This iftar and Ramadan is a great example of what Muslim communities do all over the country all year round through Islamic Relief and other charities, giving help and support all around the world…”
Rabbi Herschel Gluck said: “The street iftar is a very special event in which the Muslim community invites all the communities in the area to join them in hospitality in a show of solidarity and love for all members of society and this is deeply touching… every year, thousands of people get together to express the unity and harmony that is inherent within our communities.”
