Revd Catherine Macpherson (second row, fifth from the right) and other members of the community came together to mark Iftar
Revd Catherine Macpherson of St Mary’s Blyth offered prayers at a community centre’s first ever Iftar Dinner, held to mark the breaking of fast during Ramadan.
The meal, which was held at Buffalo Community Centre in Blyth, was organised by Kamil Kemanci, Regional Coordinator of the Dialogue Society. It was supported by Eileen Cartie, manager of the Buffalo Centre, Adeline Keogh, a Heart of Blyth Coordinator and Peter Saleem, from Blyth Mosque.
The special evening of music, culture and arts was hosted by members of the Dialogue Society. Tugay Yalcin raised the roof with captivating sounds from a Turkish flute – an end-blown reed instrument based on an Ottoman variation of the ancient Turkish ney - while his wife, Melike Nurgal Balci, and members of the Dialogue Society prepared the traditional Iftar dinner. An online Kahoot quiz game was organised to test guest’s knowledge of Blyth.
The High Sheriff of Northumberland, James Royds and Mayor of Blyth, Margaret Richardson were both in attendance. James made a short speech explaining the role of the High Sheriff and praised the work of the Dialogue Society “in promoting social cohesion.”
Revd Catherine Macpherson, Vicar of St Mary’s Church, offered prayers alongside Ikbal Kardes, a volunteer of the Dialogue Society. The traditional Muslim Call to Prayer was offered by Peter Saleem, a Blyth Mosque Association Member.
The Dialogue Society is a registered charity with the aim of advancing social cohesion by connecting communities, empowering people to engage and contributing to the development of ideas on dialogue and community building. You can learn more about the charity here.