Bristol Cathedral, Muslims4Bristol and Bridges for Communities are delighted to be working together to bring a Grand Iftar to Bristol City Centre for the third year in a row. On Thursday, 13th March, from 5.00pm, Bristol Cathedral will open its doors to welcome people from across the city to come together and share a meal at this special multi-faith event.
Iftar is the time when Muslims break their fast at sunset during Ramadan. It is seen as an opportunity to spend time with friends, family, and people from the wider community. The Cathedral will host the Iftar, which this year has the theme ‘Belonging and Togetherness’. Iftar prayers will take place outside the Cathedral in an adjacent facility.
Neil Patterson, Vice Dean of Bristol Cathedral, said:
“We are excited to welcome our brothers and sisters of all faiths and backgrounds to come and enjoy a meal in our building. We offer our space for this event in celebration of the things that join us together: living in community together and loving one another. We are very lucky to have a stunning building in the centre of Bristol, and we want to open it up to the people of Bristol, as their Cathedral.”
Shenaz Dar, one of the organisers leading the Grand Iftar, said:
“The Grand Iftar has been a very special moment shared with our Bristol community since it began in 2017. The ethos is to build connection, share special moments across faiths and communities. It shows the beauty of our faith. We seek to correct misperceptions and to show how the beauty of cross-faith events should be. The Grand Iftar is what has brought us together.”
Dan Green, Director of Bridges for Communities, said:
“As a charity focussed on building social cohesion, we’re excited to see faith communities working together in new ways. Sharing a meal and listening to one another’s traditions and beliefs is a great starting point for dialogue. It doesn’t mean you have to agree about everything, and it’s not about mixing or watering down your beliefs or convictions - it’s about spending time together where you can build on what we have in common. We hope that there will be lots of similar opportunities for people to visit other places of worship during the year.”
Mohamed A Sayaqle, another of the organisers, said:
“I have been leading volunteers since 2017, and we are thrilled that the Grand Iftar has moved to the heart of the city, where we now partner with Bristol Cathedral and Bridges for Communities. Over the years, I’ve witnessed how the Grand Iftar has evolved into a really key event for our city. It brings people from all walks of life together—Muslims and non-Muslims alike—sitting side by side, sharing food and stories. Volunteers play a central role in making this happen, providing warmth, hospitality, and joy to the attendees. I’ve seen young people from diverse backgrounds, including Muslims, non-Muslims, and people from neighbouring areas, stepping forward to volunteer. This helps promote a sense of community and underscores the importance of togetherness, community cohesion, and bringing people together.”
The event will see over 350 people from different faith and community groups come together to share a meal, have conversations, and meet new people. The event is free, fully accessible and open to everyone. Due to limited capacity, people must register via Eventbrite, and tickets must be shown at the entrance upon arrival. Doors open at 5.00pm.