On Saturday 18th May, Liverpool City Council was
delighted to host a wonderfully significant event named “Taste Ramadan” on the
Pier Head, working with Liverpool Region Mosque Network, representing 15
mosques.
Taste Ramadan is a national initiative where hundreds of
mosques across the country open their doors to people of all faiths and none,
to share food and friendship. Liverpool’s Taste Ramadan event was the flagship
national event based on its iconic location and the wide range of partners who
were collaborating with the mosques, namely LCC, Diocese and Archdiocese of
Liverpool, Merseyside Police, Liverpool FC Foundation, Tranmere Rovers and Fans
Supporting Foodbanks.
Approximately 4000 people turned out to listen to talks,
visit stalls and most importantly share food under the strapline “eat with
love”.
The civic and interfaith presentations opened with a
statement from Cllr Wendy Simon, followed by the Bishop of Liverpool,
Archbishop of Liverpool, Chief Constable, Mark Palios, Head of LFC Foundation
and 3 speakers from the Muslim community including women and converts. Rt Revd
Paul Bayes said “Thousands of us ate the iftar meal together in Liverpool-
Muslims, Christians, those of other faiths and no faith, together in peace and
unity”. Chief Constable Andy Cooke said “I saw communities coming together
peacefully to share food, friendship and hope. A beautiful atmosphere and what
I believe to be the real face of the Liverpool City Region.” Special guests
included Ambassadors, MEPs, MPs and local councillors. Also in attendance were
Ron Odunaiya, Director of Community Services LCC and Colleen Martin, Deputy
Director of Community Service LCC with other LCC officers.
The climax of the event was a sunset meal known as “iftar”
which marks the breaking of the fast. Against the backdrop of a spectacular
sunset and with the Islamic call to prayer ringing in the air, individualised
food packages were opened and shared between people from different backgrounds
The event closed with a joint pledge affirming the common
humanity of peoples to spread peace, tolerance, friendship and solidarity
against hate.
Taste Ramadan builds on Liverpool City Council’s successful
and diverse faith and cultural offering which includes events such as Liverpool
Together in Faith and Culture at St Georges Hall. Jointly organised by LCC and
LRMnet, with the support of local business sponsors, the event attracted over
135 volunteers from the Jeel Organisation in Toxteth/Granby area. The
co-ordinator, Dr Mohamed Mahyoub said “what we saw at Taste Ramadan was young
people from all ages and backgrounds working together in teams, sharing food
and friendship with one another and enjoying jokes and laughter with police
officers!” Other positive role models amongst the young people included Hisham
Saif, a world champion Karate competitor from the Al Ghazali centre and three
visually impaired Muslim children from St Vincent’s School for the Blind, which
works with the mosques to break down barriers relating to disability and increase
inclusion.
A survey conducted on the day showed 98% of visitors
believed there should be more events like this for diverse groups to come
together. Quotes from visitors said “there should be a button for “extremely
important” for more events like this in the future”; and “I think events like
this are very important especially in the current climate with the distorted
perception of Islam in the media.” The Chairman of Liverpool Al Rahma Mosque,
Ahmed Farah, said “A magnificent gathering which showed the unity of our
community, mutual understanding and respect and demonstrated how we all
celebrate diversity.” Added to this was positive local press and radio coverage
and a significant outpouring of support on social media.
