BRADFORDIANS celebrating Ramadan have managed to keep the spirit of togetherness at the heart of festivities despite the lockdown.

'The Big Iftaar' has become an annual tradition at Central Mosque in Bradford and would normally see hundreds of locals sharing food together in their place of worship.

But due to the covid-19 pandemic, organisers had to think differently and created the 'Big Iftaar at Home' - Iftaar meaning the breaking of fast.

The mosque provided hot meals for 60 asylum seeker and refugee families living across the district, reaching communities from Sudan, Somalia, Rohingya and Syria as well as British elders living alone.

To undertake the massive task, the Khidmat Centre partnered up with the Council For Mosques, Inspire Futures Foundation, Mary Magdalene, The Syrian Refuge Association and the Sudanese community in the city.

Liaqat Hussain Noashahi, trustee of Central Mosque, said: "‘The Big Iftaar’ has become an annual tradition at the Central Mosque , something that symbolises the spirit of Ramadhan and an occasion that we look forward to.

"We are saddened that this has not possible this year due to Covid and social distancing. However, we are very proud that our Khidmat Centres team and partners have worked with creativity and commitment and kept the tradition alive through ‘The Big Iftaar At Home’.

"It is in difficult times like this that there is even more need for such initiatives which bind the community together."

Sofia Buncy, national coordinator for the Khidmat Centre, said the Ramadan period had been tough on the soul for many Muslims, who are unable to spend time and pray with loved ones.

But this initiative had inspired "a sense of care" for those already feeling isolated.

Cooking got underway at 12pm the day before with well-known faces like former PC Fiz Ahmed getting involved by cutting vegetables up.

Once the food had been packaged up volunteers hopped in their cars and left the Iftaar parcels outside people's doorsteps.

They contained treats such as homemade pakoras, samosas, biryani rice, a traditional serving of dates for breaking the fast and a box of fresh, mixed fruit.

She told the Telegraph & Argus: "It's made the sense of Ramadan more real.

"Routine's gone all out the window and we are fasting on top of that.

"People are trying their upmost to fast during lockdown and we're trying to get them the support they need and a sense of community and a sense of care."