Over the next few weeks, Christians in Leeds are being invited to join Muslim at their iftars - the meal with which they break their dawn-to-sunset fast during the month of Ramadan.
The Revd Heston Groenewald, Vicar of All Hallows Hyde Park, says, "We have invitations to a whole string of iftars, and while our Muslim friends are happy when I come to visit, they're over the moon when a group of Christians joins them for these meals
"I really hope people will think about going along to one or two and inviting others from their congregations.
"The recent terror attacks around the world hit our Muslim neighbours much harder than we may realise. Firstly in horror at the tragic reality of such an event, then added outrage if a 'Muslim' group claims responsibility, leading, in turn, to anxiety about wider society's suspicion towards Muslims and the backlash they will likely experience in many little and large daily acts of Islamophobic aggression.
"And this Ramadan month, they have to cope with all of that on an empty stomach! So it's remarkable that our Muslim neighbours are opening wide their doors and inviting us to sit and eat with them. Their generosity and hospitality are evident all year round, but sharing an iftar during Ramadan is particularly special and significant.
"We've found that the more meals we share, the more we realise just how right Jo Cox was - that there is so so much uniting us. And as we gather as people of faith, we can start to hold the conversations that our society desperately needs: honest, courageous conversations about our differences, and about how to build bridges rather than walls between us.
"A full tummy and a joyful heart are a huge help with this! And these late night iftar evenings provide both in abundance."
Arrivals are between 8.30-8.45pm to break fast at about 9.30pm.
Options are:
Thursday 8 June - Makkah Mosque on Thornville Road LS6
Fridays 9 & 23 June - All Hallows, Hyde Park - hosted by Leeds' Syrian Community
Saturday 17 June - Great Get Together in honour of Jo Cox MP. 7-9pm at All Hallows, and then 9-11pm at Leeds Grand Mosque - for 'Walk in my Shoes' cross-cultural conversations, sunset prayers and breaking fast together.
A link to the All Hallows Facebook page is here.
This year Ramadan began on 26 May and ends on 24 June. During the month-long period, as well as fasting and praying five times a day, Muslims perform charitable acts such as feeding the needy and they spend more time reading the Qur’an.