Interfaith and Community Iftars have been held across Slough over the last couple of weeks, to break the daily fast during Ramadan.
Community Ramadan Iftar at Beechwood School – written By Julie Siddiqi
At Beechwood School, the Mayor and Mayoress of Slough, Cllr Siobhan Dauti and Julie Siddiqi, joined staff, students, families and community leaders at the Community Ramadan Iftar.
Julie Siddiqi was host for the evening and speakers included Mayor of Slough Cllr Siobhan Dauti, Cllr Dexter Smitth, Leader of SBC, Tan Dhesi MP and Headteacher of the School, Anita Spires. The evening also saw a panel discussion which included Revd Naomi Hill from St George’s Church and three Muslim students who spoke about what Ramadan means to them.
Attending her first ever Iftar, Revd Naomi shared how Lent and Ramadan are coinciding this year and of the importance of us coming together as people from all faiths and backgrounds “to learn from Jesus to love God and love our neighbours”.
Mayor of Slough Siobhan Dauti spoke about the need for good people in our communities, to stand against hatred and that an evening like this one does so much good in enabling important conversations and connection to happen.
Anita Spires, Beechwood headteacher commended students for their kindness at welcoming guests from the community with respect and in an open, kind way. She reminded guests that we are all Britwell, that the community needs to come together to support our young people and their families and we need to do that, together.
Tan Dhesi MP spoke about the importance of bringing people from different faiths together and he spoke out against the rise in hate crimes against Muslims and people of other faiths.
The call to prayer was given by 19 year old Aqif Hussain.
Samina Hussain, community member and founder of Sakoon Through Cancer said “Beechwood School is a community secondary school where connection truly comes to life. This Community Iftar was a beautiful testimony of connection, authenticity, and kindness. People from different backgrounds came together to share food, conversation, and reflection reminding us that when communities gather with open hearts, we create spaces of understanding, belonging, and unity.”
Julie Siddiqi, Mayoress of Slough and also a Trustee the Schelwood Trust of which Beechwood is a part said: “This evening is another important step in Britwell, bringing together our school community at such an important time for our local Muslim communities and bringing people from all backgrounds together to eat and meet and share time together. We are seeing a rise in hate in our country and around the world, this Iftar felt like a positive push back and a reclaiming of hope over hate and connection over division.”
Interfaith Community Iftar in partnership with Limitless24 and Sakoon Through Cancer at Zest Restaurant – written by Samina Hussain
At the Interfaith Iftar, we were delighted to witness a beautiful collaboration between Limitless24 and Sakoon Through Cancer, creating a space for female entrepreneurs to showcase their gifts, ideas, and products for Ramadan and Eid.
It was truly special to witness muslim and non muslim women coming together to open their fast, hearing the call to prayer, and praying as one community…
After Iftar, we heard from Julie Siddiqi MBE on empowerment, The Big Iftar, and what Ramadan and community cohesion means to her a story of power and resilience.
The conversation was well received, and the feedback after the event spoke volumes…
Julie’s reflections “It was a beautiful evening of connection and conversation. As women we so often give to others but don’t connect back in with ourselves enough. Having other women around us for support is so important. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect.”
It was inspiring to see how such initiatives empower women to share, market, and grow their ventures in a welcoming environment.
Together, we continue to create spaces that uplift, celebrate, and connect women across cultures and communities.
Community Iftar event organised by Frimley Health Foundation Trust
The first community Iftar hosted by Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust brought together NHS staff, civic leaders, faith representatives, and community organisations for an evening focused on unity, reflection, and appreciation. The event marked an important moment of connection during Ramadan, highlighting the Trust’s commitment to inclusivity and support for its diverse workforce and the communities it serves.
Among those attending were Mayor of Slough, Cllr Siobhan Dauti and the Mayoress, who praised the event as a meaningful opportunity for staff, community members, and faith leaders — including hospital chaplains — to come together. The evening was organised by Shajeda Ahmed and her team, whose efforts helped create a welcoming space for dialogue and shared reflection. During the event, Lance McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Trust, spoke about the importance of leadership in supporting staff and recognising the diversity that has shaped the NHS since its founding.
Community leaders also reflected on the importance of such gatherings in strengthening relationships across sectors. Asma Aziz, CEO of Slough CVS, thanked the organisers for bringing together NHS and community representatives who contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of local residents. The evening served as a reminder of the role institutions like the NHS play, not only as major employers but also as spaces where people from different backgrounds can connect, celebrate shared values, and continue building trust across diverse communities.