RAMADAN is observed as a month of fasting before the celebration of Eid Ul Fitr. Some of my earliest memories of Ramadan are from growing up just off Barkerend Road and our next door neighbours bringing the most amazing multi-coloured rice dishes round for us (a Catholic household) to share their celebrations with them.

Since then my understanding of Ramadan has deepened beyond colourful rice and I feel very blessed to have shared some moving experiences with Muslim friends and colleagues last month.

Conversations with various friends in Bradford and Keighley prompted plans to hold Interfaith Iftar events locally (Iftar is the meal which takes place after evening prayers and which marks the opening of the fast at sunset each day during Ramadan). More than 70 women from a wide range of faith traditions and cultural heritages came to the first event at Doha Mosque and we shared our experiences of fasting, our understanding of Ramadan and heard first-hand what the month means to Muslim women.

It was a moving event, with women able to share their faith in a very honest way which did not seek to justify, defend or convince others. They bore witness to their beliefs but also the struggle and challenge of balancing work, family demands and long hot days without food or water.

Many women shared how they have developed a renewed appreciation of the abundance of food and water in our society and felt a deeper sense of empathy for those around the world struggling without. After testimony and prayers we opened fast together with dates and water and then shared a wonderful meal before finally leaving the venue well after 11pm and even then it was a struggle to draw the rich conversations to a close.

The second Iftar took place in Keighley Central Hall and we were fortunate to have a young Islamic scholar with us who was happy to answer questions on Ramadan. Many of those present shared their own perspectives of the importance of fasting within different faith traditions. Again we shared a wonderful meal and new relationships have developed between people who otherwise might never have met.

I’m still not very good at fasting but I feel that, as a Christian, I’ve developed a deeper respect for those who have recently observed Ramadan and I wish all of them Eid Mubarak.

Liz Firth, Interfaith Worker at Bradford Cathedral DIARY DATES Today: Sikhs celebrate the Installation of the Sikh Scripture in the Harmandir Sahib.