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We recently hosted our first ever Ramadan Community Iftar at St Gemma’s Hospice.
We were honoured to welcome members of the local Muslim community to the Hospice for the special iftar event – with local healthcare professionals, supporters, community organisations and staff from the Hospice all on hand. The High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Zulfi Karim DL attended as well as St Gemma’s Trustee Bassem Keir and local GP Dr Mo Sattar.
Iftar is the fast-breaking sunset meal of Muslims in Ramadan. The fast is broken with water, dates and fruit, followed by prayers and then an iftar meal. It is also customary to visit family or friends during this time.
St Gemma’s iftar began with prayer and meaningful conversations about hospice care, before attendees broke the fast with dates and a delicious feast provided by MyLahore.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38524″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38522″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38523″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Kerry Jackson, our Chief Executive, said: “We would like to thank everyone who attended our first community iftar event. It was very special to host so many people for delicious food and great company and to celebrate friendship and togetherness. The Hospice is committed to building meaningful relationships with communities across the city and we will continue to celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and different faiths and cultures.”
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Fatima Khan-Shah, Inclusivity Champion at West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, said: “A huge thank you to Dr Mo Sattar for his kind invitation on behalf of St Gemma’s Hospice to attend their first Ramadan Iftar. An evening celebrating the amazing work the Hospice is doing to support palliative and end of life care as well as bringing communities together.”
Mohammed Shazhad, Councillor for the Moortown and Meanwood Ward, said: “Thank you St Gemma’s Hospice for an amazing first community iftar. Ramadan Kareem.”Thank you to everyone who came to support the event and break the fast with us. It was a huge success and there was a real spirit of togetherness.
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