Iftar party events were also held at Westminster Abbey and Westminster Hall in the House of Parliament
Wajahat Ali Khan
On March 2, 2025, Windsor Castle made history by hosting its first-ever Open Iftar event in St George’s Hall, the largest of the Castle’s State Apartments. St George’s Hall is normally used to entertain heads of state and for special banquets.
This significant occasion was organized in collaboration with the Royal Collection Trust and the Ramadan Tent Project, a London-based charity dedicated to fostering community understanding of Ramadan through public Iftar gatherings.
It was first time in its 1,000-year history, an open Iftar event has been hosted in Windsor Castle’s State Apartments. At this occasion more than 350 people gathered in St George’s Hall to break their Ramadan fast.
The event welcomed over 350 guests from diverse backgrounds, who began with a self-guided tour of the State Apartments before gathering in St George’s Hall for the Iftar meal. The evening featured a call to prayer, followed by communal prayers and the breaking of the fast. Attendees described the experience as “extraordinary” and felt they were “part of history.”
This initiative reflects the Royal Collection Trust’s commitment to ensuring that the Palaces and the Royal Collection are accessible and enjoyable for everyone, promoting inclusivity and community cohesion. Simon Maples, the Trust’s Visitor Operations Director for London and Windsor, expressed delight in hosting the event in such a historic setting, emphasizing the opportunity to welcome people from all faiths and backgrounds.
A few years earlier in 2019, Westminster Abbey hosted its inaugural Open Iftar event, marking a significant moment in its history. This gathering was part of the Ramadan Tent Project’s initiative to foster community engagement and interfaith dialogue by organizing public Iftar events during the holy month of Ramadan.
Also on March 4, 2025, the House of Commons hosted a historic Iftar event, marking the first time a sitting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended this event. At this occasion Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking with Pakistani food entrepreneur Suleman Raza MBE and a leading Islamic scholar Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chishti MBE with regards to Ramadan at the Big Iftar Dinner at Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament.
The 2019 Open Iftar at Westminster Abbey was one of several held at iconic UK locations that year, including Wembley Stadium and Trafalgar Square. These events aimed to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to share in the experience of breaking the fast, promoting unity and understanding across communities.
The Open Iftar at Westminster Abbey exemplified the Abbey’s commitment to inclusivity and interfaith collaboration, reinforcing its role as a place of unity and community engagement.
