Bristol Multi-Faith Forum Condemns Attack on Manchester Synagogue
Bristol, 2nd of October 2025 — The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) expresses its deep shock and profound sadness at the horrific attack on a synagogue in Manchester, which took place on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Such a despicable act of violence, targeted at a place of worship and a community gathered in prayer, is utterly unacceptable. It represents not only an attack on the Jewish community but also an assault on the values of peace, respect, and coexistence that underpin our society.
The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum extends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community in Manchester and beyond, and all those who are affected.
Cllr Tom Aditya, on behalf of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, said: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish brothers and sisters at this deeply distressing time. The freedom to worship without fear is a fundamental right, and we call upon all communities to remain united in the face of hatred and violence. Hate will divide us, and the spirit of love will unite us. We are committed to working and striving for unity.“
The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum reaffirms its solidarity with all those affected and its ongoing commitment to fostering understanding, respect, and harmony among people of all faiths and beliefs.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact: Advocate Tripti Megeri: Email: info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk
Date: Sunday, 16th November 2025 Time: 9.00 am – 5.30 pm Location: Various places of worship across Bristol
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is delighted to announce this year’s Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day, taking place on Sunday, 16th November 2025, as part of the UK Inter Faith Week.
This much-loved annual event celebrates the rich religious and cultural diversity of Bristol and the West of England region, giving people the opportunity to explore different places of worship, learn about one another’s traditions, and strengthen community understanding. Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day gives individuals and communities the chance to experience and learn about each other’s cultures and beliefs, and offers the opportunity to visit a range of places of worship and discover many faith communities.
Over the years, Bristol’s Diverse Doors Open Day has become a unique tradition in Bristol, with many faith communities welcoming visitors into their sacred spaces. Everyone is welcome to join the Multi-Faith Trail, a unique journey coordinated by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, in cooperation with local faith communities.
The 2025 Multi-Faith Trail will include visits to a Buddhist shrine, a Greek Orthodox Church, an Evangelical Christian Church, a Muslim Mosque, a Sikh Gurudwara, a Jewish Synagogue, a Hindu Temple, and a Baha’i Centre.
The trail will begin at 9.00 am from the BMFF office at Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Bristol (BS5 0AX), and conclude at 5.30 pm. BMFF will provide a scheduled minibus tour (prior booking required via email).
Distinguished guests, including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor, councillors, civic dignitaries, community leaders, university students, and members of the public from all walks of life, are expected to join the day’s programmes. Bristol Multi-Faith Forum requests that various government agencies and businesses support the Diverse Doors Open Day programmes.
BMFF kindly requests that all participants respect the customs and practices of each place of worship during their visits.
We warmly invite you, your family, friends, and colleagues to take part in this year’s Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day. Come and experience the flavours of faith, culture, and community harmony that make Bristol so special. Let’s celebrate UK Inter Faith Week 2025 together, in a spirit of peace and friendship.
NB: A reference section on faiths is available on the BMFF website portal. Please read, make your own analysis, and if possible, leave your thoughts under the comments section: https://bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk/faiths/
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum is an organization established in 2004 by the Bristol City Council for inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony, and to promote community well-being.
The India-Pakistan Harmony Buffet Lunch, organised by Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, was gracefully held with great success at ZaZa Bazaar in Bristol on Sunday, 17th August 2025. The event was a vibrant celebration of unity, friendship, and cultural diversity, jointly marking the Independence Days of India and Pakistan, and spreading the message of community cohesion. This kind of harmony celebration, bringing together both Indian and Pakistani communities together is very special and unique to Bristol, conveying the message of harmony to the rest of the world.
The gathering saw enthusiastic participation from people of all faiths, cultures, and communities across Bristol. Guests joined with zeal, enjoying not only the diverse multi-cuisine buffet but also the rich cultural programmes that showcased music, dance, and traditions from both nations. The guests were all welcomed with refreshment drinks and light snacks, and there were many networking opportunities.
The event began with a warm welcome speech by Mayor Emeritus Councillor Tom Aditya, who emphasised the importance of peace, dialogue, and community cohesion in the multicultural city of Bristol as well as in the West of England region.
The event was graced by His Majesty’s ViceLord Lieutenant of Bristol, Mr Lee Williams; the Right Honourable Lord Mayorof the City and County of Bristol, Councillor Henry Michallat; the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Andrew Warney; Councillor Raj Sood (South Glos); and Councillor Sibusiso Tshabalala (Bristol). In their speeches, they praised the thoughtful interventions and meaningful service by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum for social harmony and the BMFF’s efforts to bring both the Indian and Pakistani communities together in Bristol. They also applauded the spirit of togetherness demonstrated at the Harmony Lunch and encouraged continued efforts to build bridges across communities.
The audience was captivated by the melodious singing by Ms Alphons Theres, Mr Shahid Mahmood, and Mr Azam Chisti, as well as the distinct and delightful Bollywood and classical fusion dances by Mrs Monisha Mohan, Ms Samyukta Megeri, and Ms Ayushi De. The rhythmic Thiruvathira group dance by the Kerala ladies team (Mrs Shyamala, Mrs Rajani, Ms Mekhana, Ms Sreelakshmi Sudhakaran, and Ms Sreenandana) further enriched the cultural celebrations. The National Anthems of India, Pakistan, and the UK were solemnly sung with a patriotic spirit by the participants, making it a truly international event.
Mrs Janet Kirk, Ms Gina Smith (Commonwealth Society), Mr Daniel Randell (Church of Latter Day Saints), Mrs Keren Durant (Jewish Synagogue), Mr. Arif Khan (Council of Mosques), Mr. Afzal Shah (Grand Iftar), Mr Mazhar Iqbal (Pakistan Association), Mr. Pankaj Pandya (Hindu Temple), Mr Mohindra Choudhary (Punjabi Forum and Sikh Gurudwara), Mrs Monira Chowdhury (Bangladeshi Community), Mrs Michelle Meredith (Black South West Network) and Mrs Rejani Rajan (UK Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam) felicitated Bristol Multi-Faith Forum and conveyed their greetings to the gathering.
The Harmony Buffet was also the culmination of the South Asian Heritage Month, making it a special celebration. The event promoted unity, peace, and community cohesion across Bristol’s diverse communities. The joyful atmosphere, lively conversations, and shared celebration created a true sense of fellowship. Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to come together, relax, and celebrate harmony.
Advocate Tripti Megeri, the Secretary of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, gave the vote of thanks to all the guests of honour, performers, and participants for joining and making the event a memorable success. The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum extended sincere gratitude to the kind support of organisations such as the Bristol Commonwealth Society, the Bristol Pakistani Community, the Indian Community of the West of England, and the UK Pravasi SNDP Yogam, as well as to the management and staff of ZaZa Bazaar, for making the event an inspiring occasion.
For pictures and videos of the event, please click the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum’s Facebook page:
Archive: Event Information published on the 16th of June 2025
🌿Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) warmly invites you to a special Harmony celebration and Buffet Lunch on Sunday, the 17th of August 2025 (11 am -3 pm) at ZaZa Bazar in Bristol, to share the message of community cohesion and tojointly commemorateIndependence Days of India and Pakistan, in partnership with the local Pakistani community and the Indian Community of West of England (ICWE). It will be a heartfelt celebration of culture, connection,cuisine,shared heritage, peace, and unity. Many dignitaries, artists, and people from various walks of life are participating. This kind of harmony celebration, bringing together both Indian and Pakistani communities together is very special and unique, and conveys the message of harmony to the rest of the world. This is also the culmination of the South Asian Heritage Month, making this gathering an especially fitting celebration. Please book your seats soon. 🌿
📍Venue: ZaZa Bazaar, Harbourside, Bristol, UK (BS1 5UH)
✨ What to expect at the India-Pakistan Harmony Buffet:
🌸 Welcome Drinks and 🧁 Light Refreshments at 11 am.
🕊️Symbolic Cultural UnityRituals: A candle-lighting ceremony for peace
National Anthems of India, Pakistan, and the UK.
Children’s flag exchange/ ribbon-tying ceremony to symbolize friendship
🍛 A Lavish Multi-Cuisine Buffet: The venue: Zaza Bazaar is one of the largest multi-cuisine buffet restaurants in the UK, with an exciting 1000-seats space offering a world of culinary adventure with over 300 dishes across the globe and a wide variety of delicacies from different cuisines, especially from South Asian, Far East, Caribbean, Tex Mex, American and European. You can choose from as many dishes and sweet treat desserts as you can enjoy. On Sundays, they have a special extra medley of exclusive ethnic dishes including Biriyani, Dosa, Uttapams, Cholle Poori, Kadhi Rice, Keema, Rasam, all-day English breakfast, and Sunday carvery. In addition, the specialist chefs will cook the dishes of your liking at the live cooking stations too. Delight in the vibrant flavors of India and Pakistan, from fragrant biryanis and kebabs to fresh chaats, curries, and sweet treats—all lovingly prepared to celebrate the distinct and shared culinary heritage of these two nations.The South Asian food stall at ZaZa Bazaar uses only halal meat, and there are no mixed meats in that counter. However, it does not apply to other food counters. In addition, as a matter of BMFF hospitality policy, we won’t serve any alcoholic drinks at our events.
🎶Diverse Music,🕺Dance & Cultural Highlights.
🎼Curated Music Playlist that reflects harmony and shared heritage, such as:
Instrumental fusion – Tabla meets acoustic guitar, sitar with piano
Popular classics – Songs from Bollywood and Lollywood golden eras
Independence anthems – Instrumental or softly played versions of:
“Sare Jahan Se Achha” (India)
“Dil Dil Pakistan” (Pakistan)
Contemporary South Asian artists
💃 Dance Performances: Celebrate shared and unique styles from both cultures, such as:
Bharatanatyam – Classical Indian dance that tells stories with gestures
Thiruvathira: A traditional rhythmic Kerala woman’s dance
Bollywood fusion – A modern, fun blend of various Indian dance styles. At the end to build connection—maybe even a Bollywood-Bhangra mashup for all ages!
🕊️ Moments of Reflection & Unity: With brief words of peace, shared stories, and an open space for connection, we celebrate what unites us.
🎶Cultural Ambiance: Enjoy soft music, colorful decor, and a warm atmosphere reflecting the soul of the subcontinent.
🌸Community & Conversation: Sit beside friends and strangers alike, and enjoy moments of meaningful conversation, just real connection.
🧣 Traditional Attire Showcase: Guests to show their cultural dress:
Celebrate the diversity with a short “Unity in Fabric” fashion walk or display
🎉 Dress Code: Feel free to wear traditional attire, festive colors, or simply come as you are.
🤝Open to All People of Harmony: This event is open to all persons interested in the message of community cohesion living or working in Greater Bristol / West of England, and to all friends of peace and good food, who are interested in South Asian culture, who register in advance for the event. This event welcomes everyone who believes in togetherness over division.
Let’s mark this historic occasion not apart, but together — through shared stories, shared food, and a shared hope for unity. Let’s gather around the table, break bread, and celebrate independence with harmony at heart.
Let’s explain a bit more in simple words. In a world that moves faster than ever, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum cordially invites you and everyone who cares about peace and friendship to come together, connect, and relax at our upcoming Harmony Buffet Lunch at ZaZa Bazaar, Harbourside in Bristol on Sunday, 17th of August 2025 from 11 am to 3 pm. This event will feature delicious food from various cuisines and vibrant cultural performances. We are coming together to share the message of community cohesion and to celebrate the Independence Days of both India and Pakistan simultaneously. This Harmony Buffet Lunch is a tribute to the richness of South Asian traditions, the beauty of community spirit, and the hope for a harmonious future. We aim to build stronger community bonds and spread the message of unity and togetherness.
This is the fourth year, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) organised the India-Pakistan harmony buffet series. Previous years’ harmony events were successful, and we received appreciation from all over the UK. In previous years, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum has also been involved in arranging similar events with the Palestinian and Israeli communities and was successful in combating prejudice and spreading the message of harmony.
August 14 marks Pakistan’s Independence Day, and August 15 is Indian Independence Day. Due to the trauma of partition and communal conflicts, as well as the history of wars between both countries, there are tensions and misunderstandings between both communities worldwide. We need to alleviate such animosities and divisions amongst both communities at the grassroots level in the West of England region. Through this event, BMFF provides a platform for Indian and Pakistani communities in the West of England region to meet, enjoy, and spread the message of peace and harmony.
The India and Pakistan Harmony Buffet is a symbolic expression of the friendship that must exist between the Indian and Pakistani communities, as well as amongst the Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Bahai, Jewish, Parsi, humanist faith traditions, and all communities. At a time when togetherness matters more than ever, we gather to embrace a shared future rooted in respect, dialogue, and community spirit. Whether you are seeking a midday reset, mindful nourishment, or a chance to reconnect with your community, this event is designed to be more than just a meal—it is a moment of restoration and unity.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) cordially invites all people of goodwill, living, working, or worshipping in Greater Bristol /the West of England region, to join the “India-Pakistan Harmony Buffet 2025” and to herald the message of peace and harmony amongst communities. If you or your organisation, wishes to be a stakeholder or contribute towards the event or perform a cultural programme at this event, please feel free to email us. Please send your names via email to info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk and book the seats as soon as possible. If you would like to support us financially, please email us, and we will share our bank details. We thank all people of goodwill for joining this friendship initiative and buffet lunch. Our acknowledgement and gratitude to all. Let’s all be part of the message of harmony and friendship.
Join us for the India- Pakistan Harmony Buffet Lunch. Nourish, Connect, Restore.
We look forward to celebrating with you. 🌿 Together in harmony, stronger in community. 🌿
With warm regards,
Cllr Tom Aditya Chairman, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is an equality organisation instituted by the Bristol City Council in 2004 to lead inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony activities in the region and to promote community well-being. BMFF is active as an inter-faith community cohesion forum in the West of England region.
