London Open Iftar to Offer 10,000 Ramadan Meals

A community-led public iftar campaign is expected to serve over 10,000 meals in London this coming month of Ramadan.

From 26th May to 24th June, the Ramadan Tent Project (RTP) will continue its successful initiave in offering a place for homeless beneficiaries, guests of all faiths, ages and races to break bread together.

Taking place at Malet Street Gardens in the heart of Bloomsbury, the Open Iftar will be seeking to feed thousands every night from 20:00 to 22:30.

Striving to act as “a bridge between communities while highlighting commonalities and shared humanity”, RTP will also be inviting prominent guest speakers from the British Muslim community and famous public figures across the country Britain to engage in discussions.

Celebrating the diversity of our great city and most importantly to share, understand and appreciate the holy month of Ramadan – Open Iftar founder, Omar Salha

As an international award-winning social enterprise, Open Iftar was founded by Omar Salha and a group of young British Muslims in 2011.

Since that time, Open Iftar has hosted over 40,000 guests across seven major cities around the world, including: Toronto, Istanbul, Portland (Oregon, USA) and Ndola.

“The idea behind Open Iftar was first, to provide a home-away-from-home feel to international students during the holy month of Ramadan.

“This grew to encompass the wider community and people of all faiths, celebrating the diversity of our great city and most importantly to share, understand and appreciate the holy month of Ramadan, both on a personal and communal level,” said Salha.

Now in its fifth consecutive year, this year’s London Open Iftar has proven to be a success, hosting guests throughout Ramadan every year.

In 2016, it was also shortlisted as one of the 50 Most Innovative Global Muslim Start-Ups.

The initiative’s patron, Dr Tariq Ramadan, Oxford Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies, said: “Open Iftar allows us to be here for our community, not just the community of Muslims, but those of other faiths, the wider community.”

He added: “Through participating in Open Iftar, we come to a place of generosity, solidarity and justice, this is what Ramadan is about.”