Where: Basingstoke Carnival Hall Community Centre, Council Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 3DH

Speakers

• Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Brian Gurden
• Maria Miller MP
• Imam Salah Alanari – Fasting in Islam
• Mr Mandeep Kundi – Basingstoke Sikh Community
• Mr Madhu Trivedi - Fasting in Hinduism
• Mr Andy Taylor (Mayor’s Chaplain) - Fasting in Christianity

Abstract

Dialogue Society organises annual dialogue dinners and meetings with people from a wide variety of ethnic traditions. Ramadan is a month when the relationships within and outside the community are strengthened by fasting and breaking the fast.

To reinforce the friendship, and dialog between diverse communities, we gather in the intercultural dinners during Ramadan with people from all walks of life of varied communities and faith groups to emphasize on the values such as mutual understanding, deep respect, love, and peace.

This year, the Iftar dinner in Basingstoke was focused on Fasting in different faiths. The evening began with a short welcome speech by our Chairman followed by a presentation of Dialogue Society. As a result of the collaboration with “Hampshire Interfaith Network” and “The Youth of Peace” organisations, very important speeches have taken place in the event. The speeches have started with Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Brian Gurden and then followed by Mrs. Maria Miller MP about community cohesion.

When it was time to break the fast, guests were listened to the Azan (call to prayer) and served with a traditional Turkish Iftar dinner. After the dinner, the guests have been entertained by live NEY Traditional Turkish Sufi Music performed by Mr. Suayb Ozturk. And then the speeches have continued with Imam Salah Alanari, Mr. Mandeep Kundi, Mr. Madhu Trivedi and Mr. Andy Taylor.

The event has ended with the comments from the guests and the closing speech.