London: The British House of Commons hosted its first-ever iftar ceremony during Ramadan, with an Imam addressing the gathering in both Arabic and English in a historic event at the UK Parliament on Tuesday.
The occasion was marked by the presence of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who stated that British Muslims are facing hardships, particularly due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Speaking at the event, Starmer stated, “I know [this] has been a very difficult time for Muslims in the United Kingdom with the pain of the conflict in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinians.” The Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the Muslim community and thanked them for their contributions to British society.
PARLIAMENT HOSTS ‘THE BIG IFTAR’
The event, called “The Big Iftar,” was organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims and took place on March 4, 2025. Traditionally, Ramadan iftars in Parliament are held at the Speaker’s House, making this a significant departure from previous years.
During the gathering, Starmer emphasised the importance of unity, saying, “British Muslims contribute to every community in Britain, and it is essential to recognise and celebrate these contributions, especially in times of hardship”.
The Prime Minister joined fellow MPs and members of the Muslim community in breaking the fast, which comes just days after the start of Ramadan on March 1.
WINDSOR CASTLE HOSTS HISTORIC OPEN IFTAR
In another first, Windsor Castle opened its doors for a public iftar event in its State Apartments on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Over 350 guests gathered in St George’s Hall to break their fast, making it the first time in the castle’s 1,000-year history that such an event was held.
The open iftar at Windsor Castle was seen as a significant moment of cultural inclusivity, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to observe the sacred tradition of Ramadan in one of the most historic royal residences in the UK.
