A COMMUNAL feast which brings together different communities in Oxford is being held online this year.

The Grand Iftar is organised to bring together Oxford’s different communities to break a day’s fast during Ramadan.

But because of the coronavirus lockdown, the usual city-wide meeting organised by the Oxford Homeless Project cannot take place this year.

Oxford Mail:

Instead, 1,500 meals have been delivered across the city by volunteers from Oxford Homeless Project, Oxford City Council, Oxford Mutual Aid, Oxford Community Action and local businesses.

East Oxford Community Centre, owned by the city council has been used as the distribution centre, where meals were assembled and sent out, and the council also supplied PPE for the operation.

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Marie Tidball, the city council’s cabinet member for supporting local communities, said: “I’ve been impressed by the way so many people in Oxford, and so many different communities, have responded to help each other during this crisis.

Oxford Mail:

“We really are seeing the best in people, going out of their way to help neighbours and strangers, and I know that we will continue to need this spirit to get us through the months ahead.”

Ahead of the deliveries, Shabnam Sabir from Oxford Homeless Project said: “Every year we organise a Grand Iftar, but this year it feels more important than ever to share what we have.

Oxford Mail:

“We’ve had a fantastic response from our online appeal, we look forward to breaking fast together and bringing some joy to the people of Oxford even though we are apart.”