Huge congratulations to Mehmooda Duke, High Sheriff of Leicestershire for her successful and inspiring initiative ‘A Celebration of Fasting Across Communities’.
I really didn’t know what to expect because how do you do this? How do you celebrate fasting, although connected with almost every religion, it has been owned slightly differently by each? And fasting is also used by people across communities who reason not connected with religion.
But I am pleased to say that in organising the event, the High Sheriff, Mehmooda Duke was able to show a definite connection between communities, faiths, and non-faiths through the act of fasting. Speakers came from across the communities of Leicester and each, in their brief talks shared their views of fasting, its benefits both physically, mentally, emotionally and in terms of supporting us to maintain our wellbeing.
Imagine, St. Philips Church (Church of England), hosting a multi-faith and non-faith event with an Iman from the Muslim faith, making the call to prayer to close a period of fasting inside the church, during Ramadan. I must say that I’ve heard the call to prayer ringing out from mosques across Leicester. In many parts of the city, it is a normal part of the daily sounds we hear. But I’ve never had the opportunity to personally hear and experience the call to prayer. It was a beautiful and emotional experience. To be at this event was an honour and something I will remember for many years to come.
Although I come from a community where fasting is part of our upbringing, it was great to hear how other people use fasting. I also learnt things about the positive impact of fasting on the body that I didn’t know. Did you know that autophagy happens when we fast? Autophagy is what the body does to clear away dead cells. Literally, cells in the body eat the dead cells. Apparently, when dead cells are not cleared away they can turn cancerous. One of the benefits of fasting. Wow. I did not know that.
And when we were leaving the event (almost the last guests to leave), I heard my husband comment to one of the other guests, that fasting is something he will try. He has known me to fast over the years but has never really approved so to hear him say this was quite remarkable. Maybe he also learnt a few things as well.
The first part of the ‘Celebration of Fasting Across Communities’ was the invitation to take part in a fast during the day. Fast from sunrise to sunset that day. Individuals could choose to fast in any particular way they wished. You may have seen #chooseyourfast on social media. Some people fasted chocolates, some when nil by mouth, others fasted food and took in only liquids. I even heard of some people who fasted social media. I think part of the fun of it was to be able to choose what you wanted to give up.
In addition, we were told that many people, not only in the city but nationally and in other countries across the world took up the invitation to #chooseyourfast and had joined in even though they were unable to be with us at the event. And again, many of these individuals were not doing it as any part of their faith but on the idea of joining in with the act of fasting across communities. This is incredible.
But what cannot really be portrayed in this text is the amazing atmosphere of oneness and connection that was evident across the 130 people in the church. Guests remained talking long after the event had finished, moving around the room, making new introductions to people they’d never met before and reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances.
There were times after the formal part of the evening had finished that I found myself just looking around at the scene, and asking myself, could this happen in this way in any other place than Leicester? I’m sure many of you reading this might be inclined to respond in the positive for your city, but Leicester is unique. Not always perfect, but we do have a gift of bringing our communities together in unique ways. This occasion was one of those.
So, yesterday, the 20th April 2022 marked what we hope will be an annual event to bring communities together, using the act of fasting and breaking that fast together across the world.
The event also saw the High Sheriff introduce us to the four charities she will support during her year in office. Guests were invited to give donations which will go to these charities.
For many communities, fasting goes hand in hand with giving and doing charitable work. Fasting is an inward-looking activity. Giving an outward-looking activity. Doing the two together connects us individually with our wider community, reaffirming our connection.
I’m looking forward to joining in with this wonderful initiative again next year and the years following. So, put the date in your calendar too.
A few pictures from the event. Mainly from my seat as I was too busy talking during the remainder of the evening so didn’t remember to take more photos.
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