For the past ten years, the Muslim Women’s Council (MWC) has been a beacon of compassion, delivering the Curry Circle, a weekly food initiative aimed at providing support to those facing homelessness or struggling to feed themselves. Since its inception in December 2013, the Curry Circle, in collaboration with catering partner MyLahore Bradford, has proudly served over 100,000 hot meals, symbolising a decade of impactful community service.
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020, the MWC adapted its approach, transforming the sessions into a hot meal takeout service. Every Thursday, from 4 pm to 5.30 pm, individuals in need can access nourishing two-course meals from the Manningham Library in Bradford.
The milestone tenth anniversary was marked by a poignant celebration on 5 December, where MWC volunteers joined hands with sponsors and special guest, the Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, at Eden’s Tearoom in Bradford. The occasion served as a testament to the resilience and dedication of the Curry Circle community.
Bana Gora, the Chief Executive Officer of the MWC, expressed gratitude in these challenging times, acknowledging the unwavering support of volunteers, sponsors, and donors. She said: “In these challenging times, we are thankful that we are able to support those in need. We are grateful to all our volunteers and supporters over the first decade of the Curry Circle, especially our catering partner MyLahore and our donors, for helping us distribute halal food across the district”.
Shakoor Ahmed, Managing Director of MyLahore Group, reflected on the honour of supporting the Curry Circle’s vital work. He shared: It’s been an immense honour for MyLahore to support the vital work of Curry Circle in Bradford. As a local family-run business rooted in Bradford, we at MyLahore commend Muslim Women’s Council on their decade of work in the community with this project, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration in the future.”
Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, emphasised that the Curry Circle is more than just about food; it is a symbol of community and meaning. In the face of difficult times, the initiative has blossomed into something beautiful, a testament not only to the MWC but also to the open-hearted spirit of Bradford. Bishop Howarth concluded, “This is Bradford at its best.”
As the Muslim Women’s Council looks back on a decade of compassionate service through the Curry Circle, the impact on the Bradford community remains a shining example of resilience, unity, and the power of community-driven initiatives in times of need.
