Hundreds of people gathered at the historic Guildhall in City of London on Saturday, 7 March to break the Ramadan fast together, as part of the Open Iftar hosted by the Ramadan Tent Project (RTP).
The event, held in the heart of the City of London, brought together around 700 people from different faiths, cultures and professions to mark the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims and celebrate community spirit.
The evening was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Remona Aly. Speakers included Desra Percaya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to the UK, Manzila Uddin, a member of the House of Lords and advocate for civil rights, women’s economic empowerment and digital policy, Umer Khan OBE, a senior commander with the City of London Police, and Shazia Arshad, Head of Communications and Creative Content at Islamic Relief UK.
Omar Salha, CEO and founder of the Ramadan Tent Project, said Ramadan is a time of reflection and compassion.
“This is a great opportunity for people to come together and understand what Ramadan is about, why we fast, and what the experience looks like,” Salha said.
“Turning strangers into friends”
Salha said the gatherings are designed to encourage dialogue and greater understanding between communities.
He added: “We welcome people of all faiths and all of them come together. Even come with misconceptions, and they leave with better knowledge and understanding about who we are, turning strangers into friends.
“And that’s exactly what Open Iftar is made for, is to welcoming people to alleviate and change those perceptions.”
The charity also uses the events to support humanitarian work. According to organisers, fundraising during Ramadan helps support vulnerable communities around the world.
“We are raising money to help people who are fasting and non-fasting around the world, including in Palestine, Sudan and South Sudan,” Salha said.
The RTP, a charity founded in 2013, hosts open community meals throughout the month of Ramadan in prominent public venues across the UK, including Windsor Castle, Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Stadium, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, and Trafalgar Square.
The initiative invites Muslims and non-Muslims alike to learn about the fasting month and experience the breaking of the fast together.
PhD student Alifia Marina Syarfi, from Indonesia, was among the attendees. She said this gathering had particular meaning while observing Ramadan away from home.
“This is my second Ramadan in London, and I think this kind of gathering is really special,” she said.
For many participants, the event was not only about sharing food, but also about strengthening the connections that make London one of the world’s most multicultural cities.
Another attendee, Iffath from London, said: “One of my goals is to try and give back to the community more and volunteer. So that’s why I come to Open Iftar.”
Flourence Bouriah and her daughter Imene from Belgium attended the Iftar and said the event was open to people of all faiths and helped increase community harmony.
Hosted over one million people across the UK
With Open Iftar events continuing across the capital throughout Ramadan, RTP hosted and connected over one million people across the UK since 2013.
Open Iftar is RTP’s flagship initiative and the UK’s largest community event in Ramadan.
‘Iftar’ is the meal that is prepared and offered to Muslims observing Ramadan when breaking their fast from sunrise to sunset.
Open Iftar, the showcase of the annual Ramadan Festival and the UK’s largest community event series in Ramadan, brings together people of all backgrounds to open their fast and share a meal in the spirit of generosity, inclusion and cultural exchange.
Since its inception, Ramadan Tent Project has welcomed and connected people nationwide, transforming historic, cultural and sporting landmarks into spaces of shared reflection and belonging.
Image credit: Mona Naem Photography, Gonca Yagci
