World Bulletin / News Desk

Undeterred by 19-hour long fasts this year, British Muslims are organizing community iftars all across the country, hosting both Muslims and non-Muslims in a bid to share the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Big Iftar, a popular UK-wide initiative, is back in action this year. Launched in 2012, it has provided a platform for iftars to take place in homes, community centers, synagogues, parks, town squares, schools and more.

What started as a small-scale project has generated a growing interest with more than 100 public iftars already being planned across the country.

National Coordinator for The Big Iftar Julie Siddiqi said to express her excitement at the scheme's yearly growth: "It has been fantastic to see how The Big Iftar has grown again this year. We are having an Iftar in a Cathedral for the first time and synagogues have been opening their doors too. Ramadan really has become known by so many more people now in the UK, which is great to see, and Muslims are realizing the benefit of opening up to people around them, not just Muslims.”

One of its most prominent events held this Ramadan was the Big Royal Iftar at the West London Synagogue, coinciding with celebrations of the British Queen's 90ths birthday celebrations.