A Community Iftar Built on Care, Solidarity and Shared Humanity

Cysters had the honour of hosting a community iftar in partnership with BRIG and the Adiyah Collective. What unfolded that evening was a reminder of what happens when community comes together with care, generosity and intention.

The room was full of warmth. Families gathered, children played, conversations flowed, and people from different backgrounds sat side by side to break fast together.

One moment that stayed with us was speaking with a single mother who attended with her family. She shared that she had not been able to attend other iftars this year. Many felt inaccessible, either because of cost or because they did not feel welcoming to her and her child. She told us that the space we created felt different. It felt honest, warm and safe.

She also shared that she has been experiencing food poverty. Before she left, we made sure she could take food home so she and her family could continue their evening with treats we so often take for granted.

Throughout the night, the community spirit was unmistakable. People arrived with dishes they had cooked or baked themselves, offering them to share with others without being asked. This generosity reflected the values at the heart of Cysters and BRIG’s partnership.

The evening also welcomed people from many different backgrounds. Non-Muslim community members joined to observe, learn and stand in solidarity with Muslim neighbours during Ramadan, particularly at a time when Muslim communities are facing profound challenges both locally and globally.

What made the evening so special was that it was built collectively. There were no large corporate sponsors behind it. Instead, the event was made possible through the contributions, care and prayers of the community itself.

This is what grassroots community work looks like. It is joyful, sometimes messy, deeply human and rooted in collective responsibility.

Cysters is incredibly grateful to the BRIG team who helped make the evening possible. Their dedication, warmth and commitment ensured that everyone who walked through the door felt welcomed and cared for.

Events like this remind us why community spaces matter. When people come together with intention, we create something far bigger than a single evening—we create belonging.

Thank you to every person who helped make the night what it was.