Brighton and Hove interfaith group shares Noah’s pudding

An interfaith group organised an outreach event at Hove Town Hall this evening (Monday 25 November) to feed body and soul.

The Dialogue Society invited people from all faiths and none in Brighton and Hove to share a Noah’s pudding.

Some of Brighton and Hove’s Turkish Muslims used the occasion to discuss the need for dialogue, tolerance and social cohesion.

But their aim was to explain one of their traditions to the wider community while sharing with them a specially baked cake.

They were joined by the Mayor of Brighton and Hove Councillor Denise Cobb.

The Dialogue Society said: “According to Muslim tradition, when the waters of the great flood began to recede, Prophet Noah and his family are said to have gathered up all of the food remaining on the ark and made a delicious pudding out of it.

“Ashurah is the name given to this dish. It is also known as Noah’s pudding.

“In remembrance of Prophet Noah and in thanksgiving to God, the people of Anatolia and other Muslims have made it a custom to prepare this pudding on this day and share it with neighbours and friends.

“Sharing food offers a way to reaffirm unity and the essential relationship of humans to one another, regardless of personal faith, background and culture.”

The cake or pudding is made using barley, chickpeas, white beans, and rice, apricots, figs, raisins and an orange, sugar, rose water, walnuts and a pomegranate.