First Interfaith Iftar in Leicester’s Belgrave Road
Event type: IFTAR EVENINGDate: 07/03/2026
Location: BELGRAVE ROAD
On Saturday 7th March, Dr Avaes Mohammed from British Future’s South Asian Bridgers Project attended the first interfaith iftar to be held on Belgrave Road – the historic heart of Leicester’s Hindu community.
The evening was a joyful gathering, bringing together people from different faiths and backgrounds to share food, conversation and a spirit of friendship. More than a communal meal, the event represented an important moment of bridge-building between communities in one of Britain’s most diverse cities.
Throughout the evening there was a strong sense of Leicester’s determination to move beyond its recent and unfortunate association with communal tensions. Speakers and guests reflected on the city’s deep heritage of communal harmony, and shared civic pride.
Guests broke the fast together and enjoyed a delicious meal of pure vegetarian and Jain food, generously provided by the well-known Bobby’s restaurant, a longstanding fixture of the Belgrave Road community.
Leicester-based South Asian Bridger Samir Bhamra also attended and addressed the gathering, speaking about the importance of dialogue, understanding and creating spaces where people from different traditions can come together in a spirit of mutual respect.
Events like this interfaith iftar demonstrate the power of simple acts of hospitality and conversation. By sharing food and stories, communities can strengthen the relationships and continue building a future defined not by division, but by connection.
Images supplied by AVisArtMedia.
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