Are you marking Ramadan? Or are you curious to find out more about this ancient tradition, celebrated by millions of people all over the world? Cultural and sporting institutions all over the UK are marking Ramadan this year as part of Open Iftar, a project that's designed to bring people of all faiths together and to raise understanding of Islam's biggest festival. Iftar is the communal meal that's shared by Muslims during the Ramadan fast, after the sun's gone down. Open Iftar extends the invite a bit wider, helping non-Muslims understand what it's like to mark this annual spiritual tradition, and provoking inter-faith conversation and connection.
This year's venues include Shoreditch Town Hall (Feb 28), Battersea Arts Centre (Mar 1), National Gallery (Mar 6), AFC Wimbledon (Mar 13) and 22 Bishopsgate (Mar 15). The festival concludes with a big open air iftar in Trafalgar Square (Mar 16), which will include thousands of attendees including Little Amal, the internationally touring 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child.