A Game For All: FA Council unite with Ramadan Tent Project and Islamic Relief UK to host community Iftar at iconic Wembley stadium

On Thursday 28 April 2022 the Football Association (FA) joined hands with Ramadan Tent Project and Islamic Relief UK for a community Iftar. As football returns to normal since the onset of the pandemic, ‘A Game For All’ continues the FA’s focus on faith communities and will bridge the community in sharing a free meal at the home of English football, Wembley Stadium.

A Game For All is a key strategy which will run from 2021 to 2024 and ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come. As part of a commitment to working closely with faith communities, the event will highlight the essence of Ramadan by uniting the community with key representatives and guest speakers to share a free meal and enjoy meaningful conversations.

The event will include a panel discussion and the call to prayer recited by an imam pitch side on the stadium PA. This will be echoed around the venue with guests invited to the stands for this moment before breaking the fast at sunset, with an aim to end the holy month with a united community and make football for all.

The increasing cost of living is pushing families into poverty and Islamic Relief UK have partnered with West Ham United and Liverpool FC Foundation amongst others to distribute free food packs for families in need.

Open Iftar has convened and connected over 350,000 people across the UK, distributing over 150,000 hot meals in Ramadan, hosting over 300 guest speakers and collaborating with over 100 partners across the UK.

In the ninth month of the Islamic year, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink as well as increasing in charitable deeds. At sunset in the evening, a prayer called Maghrib is observed, followed by a meal to break the fast.

This meal to break the fast is called Iftar and will be open to all faiths and none, with the aim to bring the community together and incite conversations, togetherness, and meaningful reflections for a more united society.

Now in it’s third year, Ramadan Tent Project and Islamic Relief UK have hosted previous iftars across national venues this holy month, including The Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Library amongst others. Almost entirely run by volunteers, the project delivered a virtual Open Iftar in 2021 and has launched its first line-up of physical events, with the final event being held at Trafalgar Square on Friday 29 April as the holy month comes to a close.

“It is wonderful to come together with the Ramadan Tent Project to celebrate the return of in person iftars this year, for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The work they do to bring faith and non-faith communities together is truly inspiring. As they continue to support the most vulnerable communities through their fundraising efforts, this is an important reminder of the challenges facing so many people who are struggling to provide for them and their families. This Ramadan, we know it’s more important than ever to support everyone we can.”

Dal Singh Darroch, Head of Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Programmes, The FA said:

Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project said:

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Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of