In an unprecedented move, some Leeds mosques are coming to church on the first day of Ramadan for a cross-cultural encounter.
Revd Heston Groenewald says, “Our local mosques are taking a big step and coming to All Hallows, Headingley on the first day of Ramadan (10 June), for a day-long encounter of cross-cultural and faith-inspired dialogue, to tackle Islamophobia and to create space for friendships to form and flourish. And at the end of the day, we’ll be breaking the Ramadan fast together with a wonderful Syrian meal.
“Everyone is welcome - it will be a great opportunity to learn how to understand and love our Muslim neighbours better – and they in turn would love to meet some Christian neighbours.
“We’ll be sharing stories, building friendships and, for the first time in a church (we think), MEND (Muslim engagement and development) will give their landmark presention on ‘Islamophobia, its causes and 
cures’. It’s a unique opportunity to discover the main causes of Islamophobia, and, crucially, what we can do to eradicate it.
“Then at sunset, the Leeds Syrian Community will prepare an iftar meal to break the fast, and they’d love to share food and fun with all who fancy it. Again, it's a big deal that they're holding this in church. And they’re doing it every Friday and every Saturday in All Hallows for the whole month of Ramadan.
“Please come and share your life and faith - it’s an amazing opportunity to serve these dear embattled brothers and sisters, and to 'have the grace to let them be our servants too' - and eat their delicious Syrian cooking!”
The day is jointly organised by The Headingley Team of Churches, Leeds Grand Mosque, Makkah Mosque, Leeds Muslim Youth Forum and MEND.
ITINERARY
Islamophobia Exhibition (from 12 noon all day)
Real Junk Food lunch & coffee (12-4pm)
Film screening: I Am (3pm)
‘Islamophobia: Causes and Cures’ presentation (6.30pm)
‘Walk in my shoes’- Intentional cross-cultural conversations (2pm, 5pm, 8pm)
Breaking fast together (sunset – 9.30pm)
All Hallows Church, 24 Regent Terrace, Hyde Park, LS6 1NP - www.allhallowsleeds.org