Christmas and Eid has been celebrated jointly by hundreds of Christians, Muslims and others in London’s multi-faith East End to get to know one-another.
Christmas parties were laid on for 300 tenants by community groups with Tower Hamlets Homes and their contractors this week at the Dora Hall in Poplar, Tramshed centre in Bethnal Green and Harford centre in Stepney.
The families from all faith backgrounds had a dinner and carol singers and the children got presents at Santa’s Grotto.
The fun followed celebrations marking the Muslim Eid festival held earlier at the Barley Mow centre, Latham House, the Cranbrook centre and Royal Mint Friendly Club.
“I’d never met many of my neighbours before,” said Janet Burns from Bethnal Green’s Cranbrook Tenants’ Association. “Occasions like this give us the chance to share something special—it’s been great.”
The Christmas and Eid parties were part of a series of events laid on by Tower Hamlets Homes to foster understanding between communities. Another five events are planned over the festive season.
Similar multi-faith celebrations last year brought 500 people together.
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