Ramadan in 2026 lasted from 17 February to 19 March 2026. As the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims mark the month by refraining from eating and drinking during the hours of sunlight, with iftar being the meal traditionally eaten at a community gathering as soon as the sun sets.

Our friends at Dialogue Society North East and Newcastle Cathedral, alongside NEDES (North East Diversity Education and Solidarity) invited a wide range of people and organisations from across Newcastle join them for the fifth annual community iftar at the Cathedral on 21 February 2026 at 4.15pm. We arrived early to ensure we had time for speeches, music and live sand art before the sun set at 5.30pm. Speakers included HM Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Lucy Winskell; the Lord Mayor of Newcastle City Council Henry Gallagher; the Very Reverend Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle; Newcastle Cathedral – the Revd. Canon Zoe Heming; Bishop of the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle, Stephen Wright; the High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear, Jo Curry; and Chair of NEDES, Taha Ozleblebici.

The Cathedral pulled out all the stops to make their main worship space a welcoming home for the iftar, with the meal laid out to the side of the altar. The food was amazing, and compliments to the very skilled cooks!

In the words of Dialogue North East: “It was a privilege to connect with over 200 attendees, including representatives and leaders from more than 80 communities and organisations. We were all North East from Blyth to Middlesbrough, Hartlepool to South Shields, Newcastle, Gateshead and more. As we broke our fast together, we were reminded that we are strongest when we are united. Real community is built through dialogue, learning about one another, and creating spaces for sincere conversation. The message is simple: let’s keep talking, keep listening, and keep building trust. We will continue working to connect people and communities – because together, we are stronger.”

At a time when our society seems to be becoming more divided than ever, we need organisations like Dialogue North East, NEDES and more, even our own small community here at Newcastle Unitarians. I made new friends and caught up with old ones from the Inclusive-minded Churches Network, the Reform Synagogue, and many more. What can we now add to this movement for friendship and solidarity?