Daisy Cooper, Member of Parliament for St Albans, joined the PBFC Community Foundation’s annual Iftar gathering on 1 March at the Green Wood Park Community Centre in Chiswell Green. PBFC stands for Park Street, Bricket Wood, Frogmore and Chiswell Green.
The event brought together local residents, councillors, members of Hertfordshire Police, and leaders from across different faith communities for the traditional breaking of the fast during Ramadan.
The annual Iftar aimed to strengthen community cohesion, celebrate shared values, and highlight the Foundation’s work across the area.
The programme of speakers included:
- Minar Ali, Chair of PBFC
- Mohammed Rafi, Advisor to PBFC
- Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans
In her remarks, Daisy Cooper MP said:
“It’s a real privilege to join the PBFC Community Foundation and so many members of our community for this year’s Iftar. Ramadan is a month of reflection, compassion, and coming together and it’s great to see the Iftar celebrations going from strength to strength.
“At a time of so much conflict in the world, particularly in the Middle East, many of us will be thinking of those who are not able to come together to celebrate. But here in St Albans tonight, this is a moment of celebration.
“I’m also incredibly proud of the work being done by PBFC, and other community, civic and faith leaders to ensure that global conflicts do not spill over onto our streets. Together we are determined that St Albans will remain a safe, inclusive place for all. As you break the fast, I wish you an enjoyable evening.”
Minar Ali, Chair of PBFC, said:
“I would like to thank Daisy Cooper MP for taking the time to visit and attend our Iftar gathering. Her presence and support meant a great deal to our community. Events like this are an important opportunity to bring people together, strengthen understanding, and build meaningful bridges across our wider community.
“I would also like to thank the community leaders, councillors and everyone who attended this event. Their presence truly made this evening successful. We look forward to working with the community again at future events.”
Mohammed Rafi, Advisor to PBFC, said:
“The diverse representatives present reminded us of the importance of the community, the value of sharing, and the pursuit of spiritual growth to bridge cultures and cultivate mutual respect. With over 150 people attending the event, it is a credit to the PBFC team, who work earnestly to promote mutual understanding and support community development, and to preserve the cultural and religious heritages that enriches St Albans.”
