*Every My Open Iftar pack purchased will feed one person in need in Ramadan
*Bringing the Ramadan spirit to people’s doorsteps
*Ramadan Tent Project partners up with MyLahore as 2021 Iftar partner
Ramadan Tent Project will team up with faith-inspired charity Islamic Relief UK to launch My Open Iftar, an initiative, now in its second year, which will help raise money to feed vulnerable families across the world, with an aim to alleviate world hunger.

Every My Open Iftar pack purchased this year will help fight world hunger by feeding one person in need for the whole month of Ramadan. Each pack will also continue bringing the Ramadan experience to people’s doorsteps, by providing everything they need to host a beautiful Iftar experience at home amidst the ongoing lockdown restrictions. A great way for people of all faiths and none to celebrate and share in the joys and festivities safely this Ramadan.

The My Open Iftar pack is ideal as a Ramadan ‘goody bag’, or a gift for a family member or friend, or a fast-a-thon challenge for work colleagues. Each pack includes a donation to the charity Islamic Relief UK to feed one person in need for the whole of Ramadan; a booklet about Ramadan and Fasting Advice and Guidance; delicious Recipe Booklet; children’s activities including DIY Mosque Lamp Model and an Art & Design Competition; £40 worth of Discounts and Coupons; decorations plus much more.

Ramadan Tent Project are also proud to announce British Asian restaurant and catering group MyLahore as this year’s Iftar partner. Each My Open Iftar pack will contain a £10 discount code to order MyLahore’s MyIftar Box, an Iftar meal box that generously feeds five, and that will be available for collection from their restaurants or for UK mainland delivery.

Zia Salik, Interim UK Director for Islamic Relief, said:
“We are honoured to be working hand in hand with Ramadan Tent Project. Not only do they bring communities of faith and non-faith together during this holy month but they will be going a step further this year by helping to raise much needed funds for families struggling without food.

“As Muslims, fasting helps us remember those who are without food. The pandemic has only worsened existing inequalities and pushed record numbers into poverty over the past year, with millions more unable to feed themselves or their families. This Ramadan, more than ever, we need to come together and do everything we can to help those in need.”

Shakoor Ahmed, MD of MyLahore, said: “Iftar is a unique opportunity to celebrate kindness and togetherness, and we’re determined the current situation won’t totally get in the way of that! So, while our friends at Ramadan Tent Project sadly can’t invite you to a physical Open Iftar event this year, we at MyLahore are thrilled to offer up a unique and flavourful Iftar experience at home.”

Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project said: “The holy month of Ramadan is a gateway to all, observant or otherwise, to pause, reflect and re-connect with our collective humanity. We might be apart this Ramadan for the second year running, however it is incredibly exciting to team up with Islamic Relief UK, MyLahore and several other major organisations and institutions this year to continue honouring our mission of building bridges between communities, being at service to those in need and promoting a greater understanding of the blessed month of Ramadan to thousands of people across the world.”

Order a My Open Iftar pack, or pay it forward to sponsor a pack to community groups, youth centres, and schoolchildren at www.ramadantentproject.com

The temple leaders were completely devastated on finding that the two statues had been destroyed in the vandal attacks. A face of one statue was completely broken off.  

Rajan Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, described the event as heartbreaking and shocking for the entire Hindu community living in the area. He issued a statement and mentioned that it was indeed shocking and disheartening for the Hindus all over the world to hear about such grave incidents happening in a Hindu temple. The signals emitted by the attacks include hatred and intimidation towards the peaceful Hindu community living in this area. The Hindus it must be noted have made significant contributions towards the society and the country as a whole. The barbarous deed has left the Hindu community completely heartbroken. 

According to the temple manager, it will be very difficult to replace these two statues. This is because both the statues have to be imported from India. The statues are over twenty two years old and the shipping cost will be huge. 

The temple also is a community centre for the people in the area since the 1980’s. The attack is a first of its type and the manager was clueless about why this temple was targeted. 

A staff member, Jagu Patel described the attack after seeing CCTV footage of the incident. He described that he saw an individual coming from the side of the temple with a hockey stick or a cricket bat. He constantly hit the statue many times while conversing to his colleagues over the phone who was sitting in a car. He came back and then hit the two statues several times. The vandal also ran away with the face of one of the statues that he had destroyed. 

A few statues were destroyed in a first incident that took place outside the temple in Ford Street, Pleck on 10th June at 10 am. A second vandal attack took place nine days later at 11 pm.  

The police are looking for information about the vandals who damaged the statues. A staff member was clueless as to why such an attack was done on the temple and also by whom. The act seemed senseless to the temple authorities as this temple is located in a peaceful area of Walsall. The temple authorities mentioned that they always wanted the people to live peacefully and this act is heinous act against their preaching of peace. 

West Midlands Police authorities have confirmed that anyone having valuable information about the acts of vandalism must contact the police on 101, quoting crime reference 20WS/147794M/19 or 20WS/137218F/19. 

With such barbaric acts happening in the peaceful locality, this will indeed be a shock for the peaceful Hindus living in Walsall. 

PRIYANKA DUTTA

David Cameron, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has been employed by a Pakistani businessman, Zia Chishti, to now work for a Washington-based artificial intelligence company (AI), Afiniti.

He has been hired to chair the company’s advisory board alongside a team of remarkable individuals including Elisabeth Murdoch, the daughter of media magnate Rupert Murdoch and the former chief executive of British Petroleum (BP), Lord Brownie.

Cameron has stated that he has been following the developments in AI over the years which has allowed him to understand how policymakers and the industry can liaise in solving any challenges and also making sure that AI helps people in their everyday lives.

He said, “I was excited to see the rapid development in AI, and the huge potential AI has to address some of the challenges that societies face today.”

The AI company, Afiniti, approached Cameron to work on its advisory board who meet for discussions regarding the company four times every year. The company was founded in 2005 by former Morgan Stanley banker, and since then it has developed an AI system to improve customer service experience. This development allows customers to contact the right agents to deal with their complaints.

The system also integrates ”behavioural pairing’ to study interactions and recognise patterns, therefore, allowing customer service calls to run more successfully.

Zia Chishti stated, “Our advisory board has a diverse array of senior business and political leaders who provide invaluable guidance to the company as we expand around the world.

“David’s deep personal commitment to this issue makes him perfectly-placed to lead our advisory board and support Afiniti in our next stage of growth.”

The company’s takings amount up to $100 million (£79m) and are also considering becoming public.

Navkiran Bains