The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) in partnership with the Pakistan Association of Bristol (PAB) and the Indian Community of West of England (ICWE), is arranging a Harmony Summit with a multi-cuisine buffet lunch and diverse cultural programmes at Bristol ZaZa Bazaar Restaurant, Harbourside, Bristol (BS1 5UH) on Sunday, 18th of August 2024 from 10.45 am to celebrate the Independence Day festivities of India and Pakistan jointly and to spread the message of community cohesion. August is considered as the South Asian Heritage Month. The programme includes welcome drinks, refreshments, melodic music, diverse cultural programmes, multi-cuisine buffet lunch and inspiring messages from dignitaries. This harmony series is special and unique to Bristol and conveys the message of harmony to the rest of the world.
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. This is the third year, BMFF is organising this India- Pakistan harmony series. Previous years’ harmony events were successful and we received appreciation from all over the UK. Again this year, BMFF provides a platform for both communities in the West of England region to come together and have an India-Pakistan Friendship Meal. 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.
The India and Pakistan friendship buffet is a symbolic expression of the harmony and friendship that needs to exist between the Indian and Pakistan communities as well as amongst the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Bahai, Jewish, Buddhist, Parsi and other humanist faiths. This programme will be attended by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, the Indian and Pakistani High Commission officials, the Lord Mayor, the High Sheriff, the Metro Mayor, the Police and Crime Commissioner, MPs, the Police Chief, University Vice-Chancellors, Aldermen, councillors, civic officials and community leaders. We thank all the dignitaries, civic officials, and community leaders for confirming attendance.
August 14 marks Pakistan 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 venue, Zaza Bazaar Restaurant, Canon’s Road, Bristol (BS1 5UH), is an exciting 1000-seater multi-cuisine buffet restaurant that offers 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 food habits. You can choose from as many dishes and sweet treat desserts as much 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. Also, the specialist chefs will cook the dishes of your liking at the live cooking stations too. There will be music and cultural programmes to enhance the harmonious spirit of the gathering. The welcome drink and refreshments will start at 10.45 am and the cultural activities will finish by 3 pm.
Bristol Multi Faith Forum (BMFF) cordially invites all people of goodwill to join the “Harmony Buffet Lunch” and to herald the message of peace and harmony amongst communities. We also provide free tickets to those who cannot afford to pay, if informed prior to 14th August. Right of admission is reserved. Please send your names via email to info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk, and book your seats soon. Grab the opportunity to book the seats as quickly as possible.
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.
With warm regards,
Cllr Tom Aditya
Chairman, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum.
Mohindra Singh Chowdhry, Adv. Tripti Megeri,
Mohammed Arif Khan, Afzal Shah,
Mazhar Iqbal, Mrs Shehnaz Dar.
Facilitators- Harmony Buffet.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX
Email: info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk
www.bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk