Bishop Joanne has joined Muslims in celebrating their daily fast in Ipswich.
The Muslim community in Ipswich welcomed people from all faiths to celebrate the ending of their daily fast during Ramadan.
Ipswich and Suffolk Bangladeshi Muslim Community Centre and Mosque in Bond Street, which opened in 1984, invited guests to a special meal on 1 March and a tour of their facilities.
The guests for the community Iftar included the Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, along with other community leaders and guests.
Iftar is the evening meal that Muslims eat at sunset to break their daily fast during Ramadan. They begin fasting at dawn with a pre-dawn meal called Suhoor and abstain from food and drink until sunset. The precise timing of Iftar shifts throughout the holy month, depending upon the changing daylight hours.
Bishop Joanne said: ‘One of the key community roles of a bishop in the Church of England is to make space for others: people of different faiths, cultures, and traditions. To do that well, we need to spend time together, sitting across the table, listening and learning. From the friendship that develops, we are better able to stand together against any threats to the peace and wellbeing of our communities. In a global context of war and unrest, the building of peace always needs to start at home. Our Muslim neighbours want to meet the needs of the local community by promoting health, education, and employment opportunities. During Ramadan, there is a particular focus on service and bringing positive changes. I appreciated the hospitality that was extended to me, the opportunity to spend time together and explore our respective beliefs, and the time to focus together on our shared commitment to the common good.
Bishop Joanne added: ‘Ipswich has a diverse community, welcoming people from many different faiths.
‘In Ipswich the Muslim community want to enhance the understanding of Islam and their faith, opening their doors to non-Muslims to offer a greater insight into their way of life. This extends to schools who can ask to visit their Mosque and community centre.’ The community Iftar was an excellent opportunity to further strengthen good relationships with Muslim neighbours here in Suffolk’.
The major influx of Muslims into Ipswich occurred after the Second World War, when they came to work in the town’s factories. The first Imam (religious leader) was appointed in the late 1970s to look after the spiritual needs of the local community.