This February, nearly 34 families from 10 different religions and beliefs and many cultural backgrounds who had never met before, had come together for a special project.   Come e-Dine Together aims to build friendship, understanding and tackle isolation as part of efforts to mark UN World Interfaith Harmony Week 2021. The initiative is the brainchild of HM King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Events are encouraged to take place over the course of the month rather than a week.   St Philip’s Centre, an interfaith organisation based in Leicester, UK is organising a wide range of get-togethers.   Come e-Dine Together involved the participation of Bahá?í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan and Sikh communities plus several family pairings include children which helped to enrich the experience further. The project encompassed many different cultures such as Afghan, Filipino, Indian, Nigerian, Polish, Somali and Turkish.  

Come e-Dine Together inspired by the UK television programme ‘Come Dine with Me’ which is shown on Channel 4. The project is a development on previous schemes run by St Philip’s Centre which involved faith communities and the British Army and the Police.   Owing to the pandemic, Come e-Dine Together was an online version of the scheme which connected families who shared the occasion over a meal. Bobby’s Restaurant located on Leicester’s famous Belgrave Road referred to as the ‘Golden Mile’, supported the project and by providing meals to many of the families to enjoy.  

Riaz Ravat, Deputy Director of St Philip’s Centre said, “The response to Come e-Dine Together has been exceptional. This is an international scheme but we have the world on our doorstep here in the heart of the UK. Families from different religions, beliefs, cultures and ages are demonstrating their commitment to unity and understanding not just through words but through actions. At this moment in time with the pandemic, the project also tackles isolation and boosts confidence.   Mr. Ravat added, “I am very proud that families from many different belief and cultural backgrounds have taken part. It means that Leicestershire has contributed to this United Nations supported week in a meaningful way”.  

In order to make the project Covid secure, households met via video with the intention that when it is safe to do so, they can meet face to face later in the year all being well.