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Bristol: Muslims come together to celebrate start of Ramadan

BBC Parade at the Welcome Ramadan eventBBC
Those in attendance took part in a parade, performed songs and ate Sudanese food

Celebrations are being held to mark the start of Ramadan this week.

On Sunday, the Sudanese Community Association of Bristol held a Welcome Ramadan in St Jude's.

Those in attendance took part in a parade, performed songs and ate Sudanese food.

Organisers of events during Ramadan are hoping to encourage all communities in Bristol to learn more about the Muslim faith.

Plans are already being made to mark the end of the holy month with two Grand Iftars in April.

Iftar is the meal where those observing Ramadan break their fast every night after the sun has set, the Grand Iftar is the meal which marks the end of Ramadan.

Mohammed Elsharif
Mr Elsharif said: "It's a community coming together"

Mohammed Elsharif has been working to organise one of the upcoming Grand Iftar celebrations in College Green.

He said: "People come together pre-Ramadan to celebrate."

"We're going to be breaking the fast every single day. All the Muslims in this community will come together as a big family," he added.

He also discussed how important it was for children to learn about Ramadan.

Mr Elsharif said: "The kids come here and are really keen to start Ramadan and celebrate that.

"It's important for us to announce to the children, but also so they can understand the value of Ramadan and how we celebrate it."

Shaheen Chaudhry, organiser of the Grand Iftar in Bristol said: "I think the best way we can get over these barriers that there are is to sit down together and eat food together."

The Grand Iftar in Bristol, being held on 13 April, is being supported by Bristol Cathedral and organisers are hoping more than 1,000 people will come.

A lady smiling at the camera
The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean at Bristol Cathedral, said she wanted to support people of other faiths

The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean at Bristol Cathedral said: "I hope it shows that we are an open and welcoming community and we want to support our brothers and sisters who believe in the same God as us from a different faith tradition - and that we can work together to make their celebration a really happy day."

People observing Ramadan can attend the Iftar next to the Trojan Centre every Saturday to break their fast with other members of the community throughout the holy month.

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