Today marks the 18th day of Ramadan, and as is customary each year, this month spirals into a whirlwind of activity. It’s a period filled with exhausting early morning wake-ups for suhoor, the usual daily routines compounded by the effects of reduced food and sleep. Yet amidst the hustle and bustle, with numerous other engagements unfolding, time seems to slip away faster, contributing to the weariness. However, despite the fatigue, the experience is undeniably rewarding and enriching. I wouldn’t alter any part of it. Alongside reconnecting with our children and grandchildren—entailing frequent travels along the M6/M40/M1 & M25—I’ve had the pleasure of attending various events. While not all directly linked to Ramadan, they bear relevance to its essence in some form or another.
Last week, I had the pleasure of supporting and attending an event in Parliament organised by the Sir David Amiss UK Children’s Parliament, in collaboration with the Association of British Muslims and Football for Peace. Children from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian backgrounds united to dismantle a symbolic “Wall of Division” for water security, sending a powerful message that despite our cultural and religious differences, we can and must collaborate on issues of global significance. This event shed light on the urgent matter of water security affecting communities worldwide.
I was particularly impressed by the work of The Sir David Amess UK Children’s Parliament, which aims to empower young voices and cultivate an understanding of fairness and democracy. Through partnerships with organisations like Football for Peace and the Association of British Muslims, they provide a platform for children to engage in meaningful dialogue and take action on issues shaping their futures.
On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending a bar mitzvah at The Ark Synagogue in Northwood. For those unfamiliar, a bar mitzvah (meaning “son of the commandment” in Aramaic) or bat mitzvah for a girl, is a significant ceremony in Jewish tradition that signifies the transition of Jewish children from childhood to adulthood. According to Jewish law, this milestone typically occurs when a Jewish boy or girl turns thirteen years old. During the ceremony I attended, the young boy was called to the Torah (the Jewish sacred text) to read a portion of the weekly Torah portion in Hebrew, demonstrating his commitment to observing Jewish laws and traditions as an adult member of the community.
Meeting and conversing with Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and numerous members of the congregation brought me great joy. It was my inaugural experience attending a bar mitzvah, and I was thoroughly impressed by the confidence shown by the young person as he spoke and eloquently explained the Hebrew text he was about to read. His clarity was immensely helpful to many of us present. Especially moving were the prayers offered by Rabbi Goldstein for the safety and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The day concluded with a delightful iftar shared with my eldest son’s in-laws. Ramadan always presents a delightful chance to reconnect with family and friends we may not have seen for some time. It’s a period for spiritual contemplation and self-discipline, offering us the opportunity to deepen our gratitude for the everyday blessings we often overlook, such as food and clean water. Additionally, Ramadan nurtures empathy and compassion for those less fortunate, especially in our world marred by conflict. It serves as a unifying force, bringing families and friends closer together, fostering stronger bonds, and promoting a sense of togetherness and unity.
On Tuesday, I received an invitation to join an iftar gathering at the home of a Jewish friend. It was a heartwarming scene as Jewish, Muslim, and Christian sisters convened just before Maghrib to share in breaking our fast together. We engaged in prayer, gathered around the table, and dined together. Amidst discussions about the distressing situation in Gaza and the events of October 7th, including the hostages, one sentiment remained steadfast: the importance of preserving relationships between British Muslims and British Jews. Interestingly, many of us harboured similar concerns about attending—not questioning the decision to join, but rather how our respective faith or community members might react knowing we were “breaking bread” with those of other faiths. However, what became evident was our collective understanding that, as women, we approach things differently, and therein lies great strength. The following prayer was read before we ate and I shall end with these very powerful words, written by Kamran Shazad from the Bahu trust in Birmingham:
Oh God, You are the Creator, the
All-Powerful, the Sustainer of all life
Oh God, we are gathered here today with our
interfaith friends to show solidarity with refugees, Ya Allah, give us the
strength to show more compassion for their plight, soften our hearts to their
situation and guide us in seeking justice and mercy on their behalf.
Oh God, we pray for an end to the wars,
poverty and human rights abuses that drive desperate people to become refugees
in the first place.
Oh God, we cannot sit here in prayer and not
hold in our hearts the crisis that we are seeing in the Middle East.
Ya Allah, let
violence end in the region.
Oh God,, our hearts break for those killed
and those left behind—for the orphaned child, the injured elderly, those
abducted and families desperate for safety.
Oh God, we pray for those who have lost
loved ones.
Oh God, please protect and provide for those
who have been abducted and bring them home safely.
Oh God, let them be
reunited with their loved ones.
Oh God, we pray for the opening of
humanitarian corridors to allow food, essentials and medical supplies to reach
those in need.
Oh God, give strength to the suffering people
in the face of the escalating humanitarian crisis
Oh God,, we pray that aid workers be able to
rescue the injured, comfort the grieving and help rebuild many lives.
Oh God, we pray for peace and reconciliation
to overcome conflict.
We ask that you give wisdom and direction to
our global leaders and those in power who have the ability to impact the course
of this conflict.
Oh God, many friends have come together
today for the greater good, I beg you to shower us with your blessings of
guidance and bring us all to goodness.
Oh God,, strengthen the bonds of friendship
between us, help us to be bold advocates and to be strong agents of peace in
our own communities.
Ameen
“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware”. (Quran 49:13)
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