Ramadan Festival UK 2008
This year the organisation is extending its remits to the United Kingdom and in partnership with Arts Versa UK will endeavour to promote the cultural diversity in the UK and will emphasize the importance of Arts and Culture as a means of promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue targeting in particular isolated communities. Consequently, the goals for this year involve increasing the solidarity between different groups in society. These goals are based on the underlying notion that during the month of Ramadan, Muslims are even more than normally expected to show respect to their fellow humans, and thus have to open themselves to tolerance, charity, fraternization and reflection.
The creators of the Ramadan Festival started the Festival with these same goals which now still stand tall. After two successful national editions, the organization believes to have set a firm basis to spread their goals internationally. Together with organizations in Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Ramadan Festival is going international. With nine international lectures, seminars and debates, these activities will be given an international allure by having inspiring speakers from these countries to contribute and shed their knowledge and experience. By organizing different activities throughout the country, many more people can be reached and the goals and results can be shared on a larger scale.

It’s time for Muslims to put the fun back in Fundamentalism Everyone knows that fasting in Ramadan is a fundamental of Islam. However It’s not just about rituals spiritual reflection; it’s about the result -  GENEROSITY, HOSPITALITY & CELEBRATION. Community cohesion begins with these kind of ‘fundamentals’ and Ramadan is the perfect vehicle to initiate positive dialogue between Muslims and the mainstream.

Ramadan Festival is the first transnational cultural event of its kind and it’s also the first time it will take place in Britain.The Barbican The V&A and St. Ethelburgas , are joining Mosques and grass roots communities in staging ‘Ramadan Nights’ ‘Ramadan Journeys’ – ‘Ramadan Reflections’ and ‘Tastes of Ramadan events. Holland and Norway in conjunction with Arts Versa are also running a comprehensive range of social and cultural activities which makes this a unique event.

The contribution of Muslims to British culture is epitomized by the thousands of creative Muslims who prepare and serve food to millions of Britons every day of the year - a fact that goes unnoticed as does much of the communitys positive contribution to British society. 

Ramadan and the Iftar is the perfect time to celebrate the positive contribution richness and diversity of British Muslims. More importantly you don’t have to be a Muslim to join in the fun food and friendship we intend to promote in iftar events across the country.

< back