A series of special community events have been planned by Brummies as part of The Great Get Together, a national initiative to mark the anniversary of the passing of Jo Cox, the Labour MP tragically murdered by a right-wing terrorist last year.

Taking inspiration from Jo Cox’s first speech to parliament after she was elected –  “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” – thousands of people across the country are joining in The Great Get Together weekend to unite communities through food and social solidarity.

Jess Phillips MP is honouring her former colleague and friend Jo Cox by taking part in The Great Get Together to bring communities togetherAdam Yosef
Jess Phillips MP, seen here with Shaz Manir, is honouring her former colleague and friend Jo Cox by taking part in The Great Get Together, to bring communities together

According to organisers, “In her [Jo Cox] memory, the country will be uniting for The Great Get Together​, a weekend when communities and individuals from all backgrounds will be joining forces to celebrate what we have in common, standing united against hate and division.”

In Birmingham, on Saturday 17 June​, the Amirah Foundation will be co-hosting a neighbourhood Iftar during Ramadan, in partnership with West Midlands Labour, the Oasis Hub Hobmoor, Arts in the Yard and Al-Khair Foundation.

There are several Great Get Together events taking place in Birmingham between the 16th-18th June, including three Iftar gatheringsAdam Yosef
There are several Great Get Together events taking place in Birmingham between the 16th-18th June, including three special Ramadan Iftar gatherings

The get-together will be held at the Oasis Hobmoor Community Centre in Yardley from 8pm, bringing together people of all faiths and none to share a traditional Muslim Iftar meal, as local residents and guests break their Ramadan fast.

Volunteer Saraya Haych is helping to co-ordinate the event. She commented:

“This will be an opportunity to meet our neighbours, bring together residents from all walks of life, and celebrate the life and values of Jo Cox through food, unity and social solidarity in the city.

“Let’s get together, let’s share food and conversation, and let’s strengthen our community spirit. Bring a dish and make this an evening of unity and joy!”

Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips was close friends with Jo Cox, and will be celebrating her life during The Great Get TogetherStaff Reporter | I Am Birmingham
Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips was close friends with Jo Cox, and will be celebrating her life during The Great Get Together

The Great Get Together weekend takes place between 16th-18th June, with The Jo Cox Foundation organising the biggest neighbourhood celebrations since the Jubilee street parties.

A spokesperson for the Jo Cox Foundation explained:

“The Great Get Together is inviting people to get together with their neighbours to share food and celebrate all that we hold in common. It could be a street party or a shared barbecue, a picnic, iftar or a bake off. What matters is that we have fun and bring communities closer together.”

Thousands of events are taking part across the country to bring communities together in memory of Jo CoxAdam Yosef
Thousands of events are taking part across the country to bring communities together in memory of Jo Cox

The Great Get Together is inspired by Jo Cox, who was killed last year. The 41-year-old MP for Batley and Spen was attacked in her constituency in Birstall in West Yorkshire near to where she held her weekly surgery on 16 June. She was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary in critical condition but died of her injuries soon after.

“We believe there is a groundswell of people who reject divisive politics and simply want to bring our communities together and celebrate all that unites us. This is our chance.”

Labour MP Jo Cox was stabbed to death by a right-wing terrorist - and supporter of Britain First - in June 2016
Labour MP Jo Cox (centre) was stabbed to death by a right-wing terrorist – and supporter of Britain First – in June 2016

Organisers hope the special Ramadan Iftar gathering will allow Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and enjoin in the breaking of fast.

To promote the event, a short film was was created featuring Shaz Manir from the Amirah Foundation and Jess Phillips, the MP for Birmingham Yardley.

Phillips, 35, was a close friend of Jo Cox. Writing for The Telegraph around the time of Jo’s death, she reflected:

“Jo, I and many other female MPs would regularly receive email and social media threats and abuse. It was usually at its worst when we spoke out against misogyny, racism or sadly when talking about our party. I’d check in with her, if I saw it building up online and she would with me.

“Usually, we both shrugged it off, never feeling any real fear. Conversations usually ended with a defiant, ‘we won’t let the bastards grind us down’ and a cuddle.

“Jo Cox was a 5ft nothing giant because she built a lovely big kind loving platform to stand on. We won’t let hate knock it down.”

Shaz Manir, head of charity Amirah Foundation, hopes celebrating the memory of Jo Cox with food and conversation will challenge hate and divisionAdam Yosef
Shaz Manir, head of charity Amirah Foundation, hopes celebrating the memory of Jo Cox with food and conversation will challenge hate and division

Shaz Manir, CEO of Amirah Foundation, said: “The murder of Jo Cox at the hands of a far-right white supremacist racist was an incredibly awful tragedy, one that shook the nation.

“On the anniversary of her passing, we are coming together to show that her memory and her work inspired unity and togetherness, continues to do so; and that we stand united as communities across the country and will not be divided by hate of any kind.”

Over the dedicated weekend, there are also several other TGGT events taking place in memory of Jo Cox, including a Tell MAMA event at Birmingham Central Mosque (17th), a picnic at Blakesley Hall (17th), an origami peace dove making session at Birmingham Cathedral (17th), and a Street Iftar in Moseley Road (18th).

Here’s a list of Great Get Together events in Birmingham:

Friday 16th June

PAT MCFADDEN MP’s BAKEOFF – GREAT GET TOGETHER | Bilston Town Hall | 1pm – 3pm

Saturday 17th June

NORTHFIELD ARTS FORUM GREAT GET TOGETHER | Weoley Castle Square | 10am-2pm
SANDWELL VALLEY PARK GREAT GET TOGETHER | Sandwell Valley Park | 11am
GMB GET TOGETHER SUMMER BARBECUE | Will Thorne House, Halesowen | 11am – 3pm
LADYWOOD GREAT GET TOGETHER | Ladywood Health & Community Centre | 12pm – 3pm
COTTERIDGE PARK GREAT GET TOGETHER | Cotteridge Park | 2.30pm – 4.30pm  
THE GREAT GET TOGETHER YARDLEY PICNIC | Blakesley Hall | 12pm – 3pm
THE GREAT GET TOGETHER IN ERDINGTON | Erdignton High Street | 12pm – 4pm
A DOVE FOR JO – THE GREAT GET TOGETHER | Birmingham Cathedral | 12pm – 3pm
THE GREAT GET TOGETHER RAMADAN IFTAR | Oasis Hub Hobmoor | 8pm – 10.30pm

Sunday 18th June

A GREAT SUMMER GET TOGETHER | Highbury Park | 4pm-7pm
MOSELEY ROAD STREET IFTAR | Moseley Road | 8.30pm – 10.30pm

A street Iftar is also taking place in Moseley as part of The Great Get Together and local community initiativesAdam Yosef
A street Iftar is also taking place in Moseley as part of The Great Get Together and local community initiatives

If you would like to attend The Great Get Together Ramadan Iftar, they are encouraged to register on eventbrite, here: http://bit.ly/thegreatgettogether

If you want to share your Great Get Together event, drop us an email.

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