The Great Get Together Iftar MK event started in 2017 as part of the nation-wide Great Get Togethers organised in honour of Jo Cox the murdered MP. Though the Great Get Together Iftar does not take place in June because of the Islamic Lunar calendar (the anniversary of Jo Cox’s death), her legacy that “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” remains part of the DNA of the Great Get Together Iftar in MK.
Our aim is to:
- Enable the wider communities of Milton Keynes to experience and observe the spirit of Ramadan alongside Muslims, offering an opportunity for dialogue and illustrations of worship to better enhance understanding.
- Create a sense of belonging, remove feelings of doubt, alienation and isolation. Such opportunities provide an important tool for reducing resentment which causes individuals to be open to enticement to commit acts of terror.
The enlightenment programme features speakers who focus on the richness and similarities of religions, especially from a humanitarian perspective.
The event has from its very inception attracted attendees from the diverse Muslim communities and their leaders in Milton Keynes.
It has also involved and been well attended by people from other faiths, and none, from our wider community. Many city dignitaries and prominent business people also come. In 2019 almost 1000 people attended representing the many diverse communities of Milton Keynes, it is now an annual event in the calendar of Milton Keynes Ramadan celebrations.
The location for the Great Get Together Iftar is the Cricket Pavilion at Campbell Park.
Unfortunately, because of Covid 19 the Great Get Together Iftar for 2020 was postponed.
For 2021 our focus is to create a ‘Green’ Iftar where we will deliver a programme according to green principles and use the enlightenment programme and activities to challenge each other as to what we can do as individuals to better care for the environment – recognising that Allah has bestowed to us this planet as an aamanat (gift) and as custodians of that gift, it is our duty to take care of our planet.
The Great Get Together Iftar is organised by Trubys Garden Tea Room in partnership with an alliance of faith groups including mosques, churches and the synagogue as well as many community organisations in Milton Keynes. It is supported by the Parks Trust, Milton Keynes Community Foundation, Interfaith MK, Council of Faiths, MK Town Council and MK College.
- Photos on Facebook
- Watch the live stream on RFM Facebook
- Read other coverage
- Great Get Together Iftaar coverage on Geo TV
“We are very privileged to have worked with Trubys Garden Tea Room over the last few years. We loved hosting the Great Get Together Iftar at Campbell Park Pavilion and look forward to working together in the future on many community projects.”
“The Community Foundation is pleased to support Trubys Garden Tea Room in their inter-faith work, particularly the Get Iftaar event bringing together people from all faiths and none to promote community cohesion.”
“Milton Keynes College is proud to support The Great Get Together Iftar that celebrates and strengthens our diverse community. We have seen the event grow and develop since it first started in 2017 and are excited to be part of it in 2021. The ethos behind the celebration of ‘we have more in common than that which divides us’ is particularly important as we cope with the global pandemic. Sharing messages of hope and positivity help us to connect, reducing isolation and increasing understanding for the people of Milton Keynes.”
“Trubys Garden Team Room has become an important member institution of the Citizens:mk alliance. As well as providing particular leaders to the alliance’s Leadership Group (Kurshida and Hala as consecutive co-chairs), Trubys has helped our members hear more generally the voices of female Muslim leaders. Six of its members have attended Citizens Leadership Training, including three on national 6-day training, and have helped to grow various campaigns including Living Wage, Redways Relaunch, Fair Work and Refugees Welcome. Trubys has also helped to open a discussion about health inequalities experienced by Black and Asian communities in MK. Trubys social awareness and commitment to action have been important in developing Citizens:mk’s interests and achievements.”
Trubys Garden Tea Room 