Iftar at Forest Gate Mosque

Picture from tonight's breaking of the fast at Forest Gate mosque. Guests included Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz (whose father prays regularly at this mosque) and West Ham MP, Lyn Brown. As well as Councillors and local Labour Party activists.

We were all made very, very welcome and the food was delicious. 

The West Ham Big Community Iftar

Last Thursday evening after the West Ham CLP General Committee meeting (see post on speech by Guest speaker Professor Ken Spours) we moved next door in the Harold Road Community Centre, E13 to participate in a Community Iftar (the breaking of the fast during Ramadan).

This was organised by the Sheba Project and supported by the Big Iftar - an initiative to bring people of all faiths and none together during Ramadam to share Iftar.

We had a talk by an Islamic teacher about what fasting means to Muslims and were invited to share the breaking of the fast by eating dates and drinking water. After the mobile phones had confirmed that the fast was over - there was probably one of the most successful and inclusive community events I have ever attended.

Lots of lovely food, soft drinks, laughter and good conversation.

Many thanks to all the organisers for (I exaggerate not) a truly wonderful event.

Invitation to West Ham GC and Community Iftar (all CLP members) 24 July

*GC CHANGE OF VENUE - Harold Road NOT 306 High St*

24 July: All members meeting (GC) followed by community Iftar
 

West Ham CLP is joining a community Iftar (breaking of the fast during Ramadan) as part of our all members meeting (GC) on 24 July.

Our GC meeting, usually held at 306 High St, Stratford, will instead be at Harold Road Community Centre (170 Harold Rd, E13 0SE). We start at 7.30pm, as usual, and our guest speaker is Professor Ken Spours, from the Institute of Education.

At 8.45 we'll join our MP Lyn Brown and friends and neighbours for a community Iftar (meal) organised by The Sheba Project and supported by the Big Iftar - an initiative to bring people of all faiths and none together during Ramadam to share Iftar.

We really hope you will join us for GC and/or Iftar (guests are very welcome for Iftar). You are also invited to bring a dish to share. 

General Election campaign
West Ham CLP is getting ready to campaign for the 2015 General Election. If you'd like to be part of the group planning, fundraising and delivering the campaign please get in touch by emailing westhamlabour@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday (more info about venue etc below)

With very best wishes

Julianne Marriott (Vice-Chair Comms and Campaigns)

Harold Road
Harold Road Community centre is no more than a 10 minute walk from either Plaistow or Upton Park station and less than a 10 min walk away from Kennedy Close stop on the 241, 262, 473 or St Anthony’s Road stop on the 104 or 238.

Get in touch if you have any questions and to RSVP to Aisha Info@shebaproject.co.uk or Julianne westhamlabour@gmail.com

Tower Hamlets Labour Councillors Iftar with the Community.

I had been invited on Tuesday evening by Labour Group leader (and long standing Unison member) Cllr Sirajul Islam to their Iftar at the
Waterlily function rooms at Mile End.

Ifter is the evening meal that Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. I have worked in Tower Hamlets for 20 years but this was the first formal Ifter I have ever attended.

It was a marvelous event with hundreds of guests and overflowing tables. I was somewhat surprised to see my old comrade, the Branch secretary of Unison Tower Hamlets Local Government branch present at this Labour Party event.  I wondered after all the trails and tribulations of his current Party if he is considering coming home to Labour?

Even more surprising was to see controversial Tower Hamlets blogger, a Sunday Express Editor and fellow North Wales Gog, Ted Jeory, with his lovely wife Alberta, who was brought up locally in Whitechapel. I just had to sit next to him and ask if he had felt any sharp pains in his back since he had been in the hall?

There were a number of speeches including by local Poplar & Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick, who gave a rousing endorsement of Labour Tower Hamlets Mayor candidate, John Biggs, partly in Sylheti (apparently with a slight Scottish accent). While Bethnal Green and Bow MP, Rushanara Ali, claimed that Jim's Sylheti was better than hers! She introduced the star attraction, East London Labour Assembly Member and Mayor Candidate, John Biggs.
 
Also multi-faith contributions and prayers from Christian and Muslim preachers. Cllr Abdal Ullah was the main compere who kept things running smoothly and to time.

I think that you must have tremendous respect for British Muslims, for fasting from drawn to dusk in high summer. It cannot be easy at any time of the year but non Muslims I come across simply cannot believe that they are not able to drink water as well as eat no food during the current super hot and humid conditions. Many also pray early and late into the night which means they have to endure a lack of sleep as well.

Iftar is obviously a religious event but I most impressed with the courtesy and respect shown to guests such as myself. The fast finished that night at 9.10pm. I am not at all sure that I will have been so polite and well mannered if I had no food or drink for the previous 18 hours.

Hat tip pictures in collage to Sami Photography.

Update: Check out Hope Not Hate "The Big Iftar"  and "Dine at Mine" if you have never been to a Iftar.