From racetracks to cathedrals: Open Iftar expands across Britain
Ramadan Tent Project is once again transforming some of Britain’s most recognisable venues into spaces of shared reflection and community
LONDON (MNTV) — The holy month of Ramadan may not traditionally be linked to Formula One circuits or football stadiums.
Yet this year, the Ramadan Tent Project is once again transforming some of Britain’s most recognisable venues into spaces of shared reflection and community.
For Ramadan 2026, Open Iftar gatherings will take place at locations including Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, and AFC Wimbledon’s stadium — adding to a growing list of cultural and sporting landmarks that have hosted the initiative.
Founded in 2013 by Omar Salha and fellow students at SOAS University of London, the project began modestly with a tent on campus to help Muslim students break their fast together while away from family.
What started as a small act of hospitality has evolved into a nationwide movement welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds.
“We wanted to turn strangers into friends,” Salha said in a recent interview, describing the aim as breaking down barriers through shared meals and open dialogue.
Over the past decade, Open Iftar events have been held at iconic venues such as Lord’s Cricket Ground, Windsor Castle, Shakespeare’s Globe, King’s College Cambridge and the British Library.
According to the charity, more than one million people have attended its events, with hundreds of thousands of meals served by volunteers.
While the scale has grown, organisers insist the heart of the project remains unchanged: creating spaces for connection in a climate often marked by division.
The 2026 theme, “Hope,” reflects that ambition — positioning iftar not simply as a religious ritual, but as a bridge across communities at a time of rising social tensions.
Beyond meal: workplace and wellbeing initiatives
The Ramadan Tent Project has also expanded beyond public venues. Its “Fast a Day” programme invites workplaces to host small iftar gatherings and encourages non-Muslim colleagues to fast for a day in solidarity.
Companies including Ogilvy and Springer Nature have participated.
Meanwhile, the Ramadan Run Club combines physical wellbeing with reflection, offering inclusive running sessions across London during the holy month.
From racetracks to libraries, Open Iftar continues to redefine how Ramadan is experienced in Britain, not as a private observance, but as a shared civic moment rooted in hospitality, dialogue and hope.
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