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.

Description

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.

Volunteers and supporters are provided with a double fronted A5 card, which explains the origin of Noah’s Pudding, its recipe and the custom among Muslims to share this with neighbours and friends. Its purpose is to counter any reluctancy felt among first generation Muslims whose English is their second language. The idea is that the pudding bowl is presented with this card on top.

In its fourth year running, families have started to give out puddings to teachers and parents at their children’s school, neighbours living a few houses away and colleagues at work. Many volunteers explain that nearing that time of the year, people start asking for their puddings.

Objective

To open up communities towards one another and facilitate community cohesion at the grassroot level. To get neighbours to finally break-ice, acquintants to become friends, and people to engage with one another.

Ashura - Noah's Pudding at Rosslyn Hill Chapel