Thousands of people representing different faiths joined Merseyside’s Muslim community for a huge open-air Ramadan event at Liverpool’s waterfront.
Liverpool Region Mosque Network (LRMnet) organised the grand-scale Iftar - or break-fast meal - on Saturday night (May 18) to bring the community together in a celebration of food and friendship.
Local mosques teamed up with Liverpool City Council , councils, Merseyside police, other faith leaders, football clubs and local businesses for Taste Ramadan Liverpool, which took place at the Pier Head from 8pm.
Organisers approached Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson with the idea of holding a huge community event following the terrorist shootings at mosques in New Zealand in March.
An Iftar takes place after sunset during Ramadan - when Muslims fast during daylight hours.
Ibrahim Syed, of Liverpool Region Mosque Network and Wirral Deen Centre in Birkenhead, said: “In recent times, high-profile events and changing attitudes have shown that it has never been more important to draw people together of different races, religions and backgrounds.
“This event will enable us to showcase the true beauty of Islam, our common origins with those of other faiths, but first and foremost our commitment to spreading a message of love, peace and unity with the rest of humanity.
“Following the recent attacks on mosques in New Zealand and the UK, it is clearly apparent that we all must do more to strengthen ties of friendship across all sections of the wider community.”
Everyone who attends was provided with an Iftar (dinner) pack, including food and information about Islam.
The event was to close with a speech from faith leaders giving a commitment to standing together as one community.
Sign up to the What's On newsletter - packed with brilliant things to see and do in Liverpool and beyond.
