Chelsea will host a pitch-side Open Iftar at Stamford Bridge on 26 March in collaboration with award-winning charity, the Ramadan Tent Project.
The West London club are the first in the Premier League to host an Open Iftar, a part of Ramadan – an important month in the Islamic calendar where Muslims worldwide fast, pray and reflect – when those practising break their fasts after sunset and come together to pray.
The Blues will invite local mosques and other members of Chelsea’s Muslim community to attend their first Open Iftar as part of a club-wide equality, diversity and inclusion programme ‘No To Hate’, in partnership with the Ramadan Tent Project.
Established in 2013, the Ramadan Tent Project and Open Iftar began as a way to provide international students living alone in London with a community to celebrate Ramadan and break their fast together. The initiative quickly became popular, and the charity has hosted Open Iftars in cities across the UK and abroad.
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Omar Salha, founder and CEO of the Ramadan Tent Project, said: “We are honoured to bring Open Iftar to Stamford Bridge, on the occasion of our 10-year anniversary and our 2023 theme of ‘Belonging’, and work in partnership with Chelsea FC who have been driving inclusivity in football.
“Football and Ramadan bring people together over shared experiences and we are thrilled to share this important celebration with football supporters from all backgrounds, representing a community of communities.”
Simon Taylor, head of Chelsea Foundation, said: “We are extremely proud to be the first Premier League club to be doing so.
“Recognising Ramadan and our Muslim community is a crucial aspect of our work in promoting religious tolerance and I look forward to welcoming everyone on Sunday 26 March.”
By hosting Open Iftar, Chelsea hopes to promote important dialogue and create a safe space for its Muslim community to celebrate the holy month. (Versus UK)
