Muslims break fast on the steps of London's Royal Albert Hall

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STORY: The steps were transformed into a dining space for the ‘Open Iftar 2022,’ which organisers hoped would be one of the largest iftars the UK had ever seen.

The Ramadan Tent project, the group that put together the event, began during the summer of 2011 when London - and other parts of the UK - were gripped by riots.

They’ve cooked and distributed more than 150,000 hot meals at Trafalgar Square, Wembley Stadium and Westminster Abbey and beyond the UK, in Turkey and Zambia.

Solicitor, Siddiq Fazaluddin, said functions such as this were a good way to show a different side of Islam.

“I think I just like the atmosphere, it’s a really nice feeling and I think it’s a good way to promote Islam as well, getting stuff out there in the public. Islam gets a lot of negative press, so it’s nice to get something positive out there to show what we believe in, we believe in looking after each other, good sense of camaraderie and making a positive contribution to society”, he said.

For the last two years Open Iftar has gone online, to help the Muslim community come together, while being kept apart because of the pandemic.

Omar Salha, founder and CEO of the Ramadan Tent Project called it “electrifying” to see so many people at the Royal Albert Hall.

“It’s electrifying, it’s great to see so many people coming together, especially after two years of virtual events, to finally come together in person, to have these physical events, to meet people face to face, have the exchange, the warmth, the compassion from different members of different communities, it’s just amazing”.

Started by students at London’s SOAS University as a safe space for young people to break their fast during Ramadan, in the last eleven years, the organisation has reached more than 350,000 people across the UK.

For some, like Roxanna Wahab, the most important thing about the event was being able to make connections.

“It’s connection to God, connection to Muslims, connection to people around me, it’s just being around people. And I’m enjoying this, I’m enjoying it basically, and that’s why I’m here today, to interact with people.”