Multi-faith Ramadan Celebration at St George’s Garrison Church
A group of community members joined in celebrating the breaking of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) at St. George’s Garrison Church on Tuesday 10th March.
Timothy Barnes, Chair of Woolwich Garrison Church Trust, commended the initiative of the fellow founding trustee Saeed Ahmad. He thanked other trustees, Peter Waller and David Rome and volùnteer Jane Bonwick for their support. He said that the Garrison Church, in accordance with its Christian traditions, has always been a welcoming place for people of all faiths and none celebrating community events.
The gathering was also addressed by Seema Ahmad, the daughter of Saeed, Chair of Leicester SACRE and a founding member of the Christian Muslim Ladies Dialogue Group in Leicester. Seema said she was inspired by her father’s initiative which he was determined to make happen with the support of the trustees despite being almost 90, facing ill health and with his wife being admitted into hospital the day before. She said gathering in shared welcoming spaces like the Garrison Church is essential to break down barriers and misunderstandings.
Farooq Murad, CEO of the Islamic Foundation explained the significance of Ramadan and fasting in Islam. He said this was an annual act of worship focused on personal and spiritual development, strengthening and serving the community. Besides fasting, night prayers in mosques, reading of the Quran, sharing meals at home and giving charity for the poor are the hallmarks of Ramadan.
Deputy Mayor of the Borough, David Gardner said that this gathering reflects the spirit of both the Garrison Church and the Borough of Greenwich, living together and celebrating our rich diversity. Participants discussed the tradition of fasting in their own faiths thereby reflecting on the shared values within the faith communities.
