London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Aug 30, 2026

Ramadan: Cathedrals, museums and stadiums host iftar meals

Ramadan: Cathedrals, museums and stadiums host iftar meals

From Shakespeare's Globe to football stadiums, landmark locations have held events to celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan across England.

London's Victoria and Albert Museum provided a stunning surrounding for an iftar meal in March

Manchester Cathedral and King's College in Cambridge were among the venues hosting iftar meals - to break the daily fasts - for people of all backgrounds.

Organisers at Ramadan Tent Project say they want to bring communities together.

"There's been huge appetite - especially since the pandemic - to connect," manager Waseem Mahmood said.

Cambridge University hosted an open iftar at King's College, founded in the 15th Century

CBeebies presenter George Webster attended an event at the Rawdah Mosque in Bradford


The organisation has been hosting the events every night since Ramadan started on 22 March.

For Muslims, the month marks the start of divine revelation of the Quran and often spurs extra devotion and charity.

CBeebies presenter George Webster attended an event at the Rawdah Mosque in Bradford


Mr Mahmood, who has been on the road for the past three weeks, said: "For me personally, Islam has a very strong vertical and horizontal element - the vertical is about getting closer to God but to do that, you have to expand yourself horizontally and that means service."

He said iftar organisers wanted people to "get out of their comfort zones" by visiting local landmarks they may never have seen.

"For example, with Manchester Cathedral and Aston Villa, there were people who don't go to church or aren't football fans.

"The astonishment on their faces when they come in - and immediately take pictures before they sit down - shows we did a good job."

A rabbi was among those addressing an interfaith iftar with 1,400 people at Manchester Cathedral

Children performed a sonnet on stage at Shakespeare's Globe in London


Mr Mahmood, a Manchester United fan, even had to grin and bear a Chelsea scarf for a photo opportunity at the London club, which was one of five football grounds hosting iftars with the Ramadan Tent Project.

He said "every single location have said they want to do it again" after more than 20,000 people attended events at nearly 20 venues in London and nine outside the capital.

London mayor Sadiq Khan joined those breaking the fast at Trafalgar Square

Muslims make up nearly 7% of the population in England and Wales, according to the 2021 census


Organisers also wanted to make events sustainable by avoiding plastic and cutting down on waste.

Hundreds turned up for an iftar at Aston Villa's stadium in Birmingham

While Chelsea FC hosted a pitchside event


About 40% of attendees were not Muslim, with some later joining a 500-strong group of volunteers "because they wanted to give something back", Mr Mahmood said.

"It's about how we inspire people to break bread and have conversations, but also the concept of stewardship and responsibility when it comes to food.

"This whole journey has inspired and fulfilled me and made my heart smile."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Officials Highlight 80 Years of Diplomatic Relations With Philippines
Heavy Rain Disrupts Parts of England After Weeks of Extreme Summer Heat
More Than 200 Extra Police Officers Deployed Across Cleveland After Violent Incidents
Burnham Meets Northern Ireland Leaders for Talks on Economy and Youth Employment
Burnham to Abstain From UK Assisted Dying Vote
NHS Leaders Warn of Severe Financial and Staffing Pressures Ahead of Autumn
UK Treasury Prepares October Budget as Defense and Public Spending Pressures Mount
Scottish Government Publishes Draft Bill for Second Independence Referendum
Royal Navy Tracks Russian Warships and Sanctioned Vessels in 72-Hour Operation
UK and Ukraine Agree AI-Focused Defense Technology Partnership
US Reportedly Weighs Falkland Islands Policy Shift to Pressure UK Over NATO Spending
UK Government Mobilizes Emergency Aid as British Nationals Remain Missing After Nepal Floods
UK Hospitality Industry Reports Stronger Summer Trading but Seeks Tax Relief
Reform UK Proposes £30 Tax Credit for Long HMRC Helpline Waits
Labour Debates Caps on Political Donations Ahead of Future Elections
England Accelerates Housing and Planning Reforms Amid Affordability Crisis
NHS Expands Walk-In Community Health Centers to 40 Locations
UK Regulators Expect Meta to Apply Stronger Child Safety Standards Globally
UK Groups Demand Faster Transport Decarbonization After Extreme Summer Weather
UK Launches 10,000 Work Experience Placements as Youth Unemployment Concerns Rise
UK Government Faces Difficult Autumn Budget Choices Over Defense, Spending and Taxes
UK Government Rejects Calls to Slow AI Data Center Expansion
IMF Raises UK Growth Forecast to 1% Despite Global Supply Chain Risks
UK Unsecured Loan Defaults Reach Highest Level Since 2009
UK Energy Price Cap to Rise 4% to Three-Year High of £1,723
More Than 30 Britons Reported Missing After Deadly Nepal-Tibet Floods
Royal Navy Tracks Russian Warships and Sanctioned Vessels in 72-Hour Operation
Police Intensify Investigation Into Organised Crime-Linked Violence in Middlesbrough
UK Small Businesses Face Continued Revenue and Tax Pressures, Federation Says
M&G Real Estate Buys West Sussex Affordable Housing Portfolio for £29 Million
Royal Navy Warship HMS Tamar Visits Cambodia for Regional Security Engagement
UK Government Brings Forward Benefit Payments Ahead of August Bank Holiday
Four Men Plead Guilty to Arson Attack on Jewish Community Ambulances in North London
Ofgem Raises Great Britain’s Household Energy Price Cap by Four Percent From October
UK Government Rejects Green Party Call for Artificial Intelligence Datacentre Moratorium
Millions of UK Benefit Recipients Receive Payments Early Ahead of August Bank Holiday
UK Prime Minister Meets Northern Ireland Leaders in Belfast Over Budget Crisis
Crypto Tax Gains Reach One Point Three Eight Billion Pounds Among UK Investors, HMRC Data Shows
UK Corporate Confidence Rises to Highest Level Since March, Lloyds Survey Shows
Mike Ashley Attacks UK Government Business Rates and Cost-of-Living Policies
Scottish Universities Face Two Hundred Million Pound Annual Funding Gap, Report Warns
Entertainment Figures Urge UK Government to Protect People From AI Voice Cloning
Manchester Airports Group Confirms Customer Data Breached in Cyberattack
Seven Charged Over Vandalism at Donald Trump’s Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland
Nearly 23,000 UK Households Expected to Move Home on Busiest Day of 2026
UK Benefit Payments to Arrive Early Ahead of August Bank Holiday
Reform UK Pledges to Replace GDPR and Cut Tax Administration Red Tape
Andy Burnham Launches Work Experience Plan for One Million Young People Outside Education or Work
Andy Burnham Faces Labour Backlash After Dropping Support for Political Donations Cap
Andy Burnham Announces UK-Wide Summit With Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
×