Manchester Museum welcomed hundreds of people to break their fast this month – including young refugees and asylum seekers.
People from all faiths and backgrounds, together with one hundred unaccompanied young refugee care leavers, connected over a Ramadan Iftar amongst artefacts and dinosaur bones at the Manchester Museum in mid-March.
The Museum collaborated with Greater Manchester Muslim Alliance for Refugees (GMMAR), an Action for Humanity project that advocates for asylum seekers’ rights, to provide hot Iftars for the community.
‘Iftar’ is the meal Muslims eat at sunset after fasting during the day in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Action for Humanity CEO Othman Moqbel said: “Today we have a big group of young refugees who will have Iftar and enjoy the community atmosphere during this blessed month of Ramadan.
“The refugee situation is very difficult and we are liaising with stakeholders to help provide food for them in Ramadan.”
Attendees enjoyed a generous buffet provided by Oldham-based Abdul Islam Catering and connected after speeches from South Asia Gallery curator Nusrat Ahmed, and University of Manchester chancellor Nazir Afzal.
GMMAR coordinator Naz Asghar said: “I love the Museum, and today it was filled with people from all walks of life, including youth asylum seekers, as part of our plan to make Manchester even more of a city of sanctuary.”
College student Mohammed Omar, who sought refuge in Manchester from Sudan two years ago, said he enjoyed the event as he met and spoke to nice new people.
The Museum hosts a variety of cultural and religious events throughout the year and invites people to celebrate the Islamic celebration of Eid-al-Fitr with them after Ramadan.
Feature Image: Sumaiya Motara
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