More than 60 guests, including Qari Asim, the Chief Imam at Leeds Makkah Mosque, Anees Ahmed, the Deputy Consul General from the Pakistan Consulate, His Honour Judge Ahmed Nadim, judge at Bradford Crown Court and honorary fellow of Leeds Trinity University, and Gill Arnold MBE, Chairman and Founder of the Yorkshire Champions Group and Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, attended the event at the University’s Horsforth Campus on Friday 13 March. 

After welcome speeches and prayers, the guests celebrated the Iftar meal, the traditional breaking of the Ramadan fasting. 

Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, welcomed guests saying: “This month we are celebrating two religious festivals – Ramadan and Lent. As well as self-discipline, fasting, and giving up luxuries, they are also both about community and togetherness. 

“As the late MP Jo Cox famously said ‘we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us’. We need to always remember that, particularly in a world that is currently scarred by division and conflict. 

“Leeds Trinity has been an integral part of West Yorkshire for 60 years and this community iftar reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusion, community partnership, and building bridges across faiths. It is about recognition and celebration, and understanding that we all need to see one another, appreciate one another, and respect the dignity and talent that everybody has.” 

The driving force behind the organisation of the event was Dr Javed Bashir, Senior Lecturer in Policing at Leeds Trinity and founder of the Professional Muslim Institute.  

Dr Bashir said: “It was a wonderful evening of reflection, friendship, and shared purpose during this blessed month of Ramadan. Events like this remind us of the power of coming together across communities, strengthening relationships, and celebrating the values of compassion, service, and unity. 
 
“Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening so special. The conversations, connections, and spirit of togetherness truly reflected the best of our communities.” 

The modern-day Leeds Trinity University can trace its origin to 1966, starting out as two teacher training colleges. Trinity and All Saints, as they were known,  were originally governed separately, with the Sisters of the Cross and Passion taking responsibility for the women’s college and the Catholic Education Council managing the men’s college. 

The two colleges merged in 1980 and then became a University College in 2009 when taught-degree awarding powers were received. Then, in 2012, the institution achieved full university status and became Leeds Trinity University. 

Leeds Trinity is striving to be an anti-racist university and recently became the first university in Yorkshire, and just the seventh nationally, to be awarded the Race Equality Charter Silver award by Advance HE, recognising its sustained commitment to race equity, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of university life.