Community Iftar 2025
KYP celebrates the month of Ramadan with a community Iftar on 17th March 2025 – to bring together members of the community from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds to break the fast by enjoying a delicious meal.
The event, held in the middle of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, is designed to encourage unity, community cohesion and learning by bringing communities together by inviting different members of the community with both faith or no faith backgrounds to participate in the tradition of breaking the fast and encouraging an open dialogue regarding faith and tolerance.
Zulf Ahmed, CEO of KYP, begins the evening by welcoming the guests and expressing sincere gratitude for their attendance at the event.
The attendees include representatives from across from the borough, such as Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Action Together, Rochdale Mind, Petrus, Greater Manchester Police, Springhill Hospice, Aspire 2 Aspire, Ukrainian Society, Alphabet Academy, Alzheimer’s Society, Army of Kindness, Elected Members, RWWA, Rochdale Training, Your Trust, Positive Steps and may other organisations and individuals.
The Mayor of Rochdale – Mr Shakil Ahmed and the Mayoress of Rochdale – Mrs Robina Bi also graced the event with their presence.
Imam Masood Rehman from Ayesha Mosque talked about the meaning of Ramadan. He proclaimed “In Islam If you help break the fast of just 1 person, God will forgive all of your previous sins” to the capacity audience at KYP’s Unity House.
The Adhan (call to prayer) is then beautifully recited by a KYP staff member signalling the time of Maghrib prayers and the opening of the fast with a date and water. The guests are then invited into the dining room to make a plate of delicious, fresh & traditional food including Pakoras, Vegetable Biryani and Chicken curry.
Kuiama Thompson – Director of Public Health & Communities at Rochdale Borough Council, expresses her happiness at the event bringing members of the community together. “It’s about how we understand different cultures, different religions and different communities across the borough better. “The fact that this brings different people together to break the fast and share information about Ramadan and about the whole process is really great.”
Marcus Roe – Director of Governance at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, also recognised the fantastic mix of people in attendance and the fantastic food. “The event is absolutely brilliant; it is really well attended and a really nice mix of people”. “The food of course, is absolutely fantastic”.
Sonia Denham of Petrus voices her enthusiasm for the teachings that were spoken on the night by Imam Masood Rahman as well as the fresh traditional food. “There are a lot of different people, lots of different communities who have had some really vibrant conversations and some absolutely delicious food”.
This celebration exemplifies KYP’s commitment to creating an inclusive atmosphere, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued. As well as educating the community on the traditions and beliefs of Ramadan and its importance in the Islamic calendar.
