An annual event organised to mark the traditional day of ‘Ashura’ where folk has it that Prophet Noah prepared a pudding from the last bits of food remaining on the Ark. Thousand of such bowls are prepared and distributed each year on this day by Dialogue Society supporter to friends, neighbours and the public in general to initiate and strengthen intercultural and intercommunal ties.

The Dialogue Society organised its second Ashura evening hosted by Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead. Mr Fatih Kahraman gave a powerpoint presentation to the guests about the significance of Ashura and stated that the diversity of its ingredients represented the diverse community in which we live. He emphasized that although an unlikely combination of ingredients come together to make a delicious dessert, so too we can come together and form strong, long lasting friendships and partnerships. He also stated that the Ark resembled the world that we co-exist in and that we have only one world and we must find ways of living together in harmony and unity.

The evening concluded with guests enjoying Turkish cuisine and a serving of the pudding accompanied by a performance of live ney (reed flute) music.

Objective

To open up communities towards one another and facilitate community cohesion at the grassroot level.