Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Ramadan: Communities unite at the Natural History Museum for annual interfaith iftar gathering

The museum's director, Dr Douglas Gurr, hosted a panel discussion with young people, faith leaders and the chairman of the museum's board of trustees, Sir Patrick Vallance

Ramadan: Communities unite at the Natural History Museum for annual interfaith iftar gathering

National faith leaders, government officials and young people came together to celebrate Ramadan and break their fast at the Natural History Museum on Monday (17) in an event organised by the Naz Legacy Foundation.

The annual interfaith event was attended by over 100 young people from all backgrounds with the evening centred around how people can use their faith to protect the natural world and encourage others to become advocates for the planet.


Guests of all faiths, and none, shared in the breaking of the Ramadan fast in the iconic Hintze Hall under Hope the Whale.

There was also a speech from secretary of state for education, Gillian Keegan who spoke of the importance of young voices in tackling the climate crisis and the new department for education National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards scheme, led by the museum.

Interfaith Iftar Event 2023 0162 Pannel discussion at the Interfaith Iftar event

The museum’s director, Dr Douglas Gurr, hosted a panel discussion with young people, faith leaders and the chairman of the museum’s board of trustees, Sir Patrick Vallance.

“We are honoured to be chosen as this year’s host for Naz Legacy Foundation’s Youth Interfaith Iftar and provide a space in which faith and nature can interconnect,” said Dr Gurr.

“Now more than ever we are needed to unite for nature. The evening hopes to spark important conversations about the natural world, how we can come together to protect it and inspire the next generation of advocates for the planet.”

Interfaith Iftar Event 2023 0002 At the Youth Interfaith Iftar event

This year’s event was chaired by Miranda Lowe CBE, the Museum's Principal Curator of Crustacea, and Harris Bokhari OBE, co-founder of the Naz Legacy Foundation and Trustee of the Natural History Museum.

The Naz Legacy Foundation seeks to continue the legacy of the late Naz Bokhari by supporting young people throughout education whilst supporting positive integration into mainstream British society.

Alongside its interfaith iftars, the foundation has a diversity programme that encourages young people from disadvantaged and minority communities to visit cultural institutions and the Naz Bokhari Fellowship which offers young people (16-18) mentoring, skill-building workshops and work placements.

“We are delighted to have hosted Iftar at the Natural History Museum and provide a space for young people to share their thoughts and concerns on the planetary emergency with faith and political leaders,” said Harris Bokhari OBE, Naz Legacy Foundation founder & trustee & Natural History Museum trustee.

“There were some great conversations between the young people on what action needs to be taken to protect our planet and it was inspiring to see how young people were able to come together and develop their own ideas of how they can work together to tackle climate change.”

More For You

Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

Officials greet newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki (R) as she arrives at the prime minister's office in Kathmandu on September 14, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

NEPAL’s new interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Sunday (14) pledged to act on protesters’ calls to end corruption and restore trust in government, as the country struggles with the aftermath of its worst political unrest in decades.

“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said in her first address to the nation since taking office on Friday (12). “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality. We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and hand over to the next parliament and ministers.”

Keep ReadingShow less
UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

US president Donald Trump and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer arrive at Trump International Golf Links on July 28, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

THE British government has announced over £1.25 billion ($1.69bn) in fresh investment from major US financial firms, including PayPal, Bank of America, Citigroup and S&P Global, ahead of a state visit by president Donald Trump.

The investment is expected to create 1,800 jobs across London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester, and deepen transatlantic financial ties, the Department for Business and Trade said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

Protesters wave Union Jack and St George's England flags during the "Unite The Kingdom" rally on Westminster Bridge by the Houses of Parliament on September 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

MORE THAN 100,000 protesters marched through central London on Saturday (13), carrying flags of England and Britain and scuffling with police in one of the UK's biggest right-wing demonstrations of modern times.

London's Metropolitan Police said the "Unite the Kingdom" march, organised by anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson, was attended by nearly 150,000 people, who were kept apart from a "Stand Up to Racism" counter-protest attended by around 5,000.

Keep ReadingShow less