This month sees a series of events being hosted across the UK to kick start the Ramadan Festival. The events, held in London, include a food festival, a cultural art and dance programme and a Qawalli tour.

The festival has already been running successfully for three years in Holland and aims to promote greater mutual understanding between communities as well as highlight Muslim integration in mainstream society. With a strong emphasis on building bridges through Arts and Culture, the festival launches with its main attraction “Tastes of Ramadan” at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 23rd, 2008. The event will bring top chefs together to cook delightful cuisines and will undoubtedly be a unique celebration of the London’s restaurant scene - and also a treat for all food lovers.

On the music front, Balagan Boogaloo will be hosted at the Cargo in Shoreditch. It promises to be a unique night of storming Islamic and Hebraic hip hop with the likes of Dj Handler and Y-Love taking the stage. Wassim Hussain will also join brand new Muslim-Jewish hip hop super-group Lines of Faith, a combination of Mohammed Yahya and Daniel Silverstein for a mix of tradition post-modernity.

Festival Director, Syed Mohsin Abbas believes that this is a great opportunity for Muslims to showcase their skills as well as unite communities during the Holy month.

A spiritual period for Muslims, Ramadan is a time for reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well.

The Ramadan Festival UK will host a banquet at the House of Commons to mark the end of the occasion.

To check out all the activities planned, visit the website on: www.ramadanfestival.co.uk

(10 votes. Average: 3.7 out of 5)