- Trafalgar Square welcomed 3,000 guests from all faiths and none to break fast in the final week of Ramadan
- This Years Ramadan Festival Programme saw Open Iftar Events in 8 UK Cities at Iconic Landmark Venues
- Follows a successful weekend of Open Iftar Events at AFC Wimbledon and Horizon 22 in London
LONDON, 16 March 2026 – In the final week of Ramadan, Open Iftar returns to the heart of London’s iconic Trafalgar Square, welcoming 3,000 guests for the landmark closing event of Ramadan Tent Project’s (RTP) Ramadan Festival 2026. The square, which has long served as a gathering point for Londoners in moments of celebration and solidarity, opened its doors once more to unite communities in faith, food and reflection as Ramadan draws to a close.
Guests were welcomed to the Open Iftar by Little Amal, the internationally recognised 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child, who is a powerful symbol of Hope that parallels the Ramadan Festival 2026 theme. Her presence served as a moving reminder of Ramadan’s call to show compassion to the most vulnerable. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, also joined the gathering, breaking his fast alongside guests and helping to distribute the Iftar meal, underscoring the event’s message that Open Iftar is a space for all faiths and none.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted that Trafalgar Square once again hosted the final iftar of Ramadan Tent Project’s hugely successful Open Iftar programme. Londoners from all faiths, races and backgrounds united in the heart of our capital to break their fasts, honour the values of this holy month and send a message of hope. Together we showed the world that London will always be a city that celebrates and champions our diversity, as we build a better and fairer London for everyone.”
Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project said: “Ramadan Festival 2026
has shown, once again, the extraordinary power of community when people come together with open hearts. From Trafalgar Square to cities across the country, our Open Iftar events have welcomed thousands from every background to share a meal, a conversation, and a
moment of reflection. This year’s theme of Hope has been brought to life not through words alone, but through the generosity, curiosity, and unity we’ve witnessed at every gathering. Tonight, in the heart of London, we stand united as one community, committed to creating spaces where belonging is felt, lived, built, stories are shared, and the spirit of Ramadan is experienced by all.”
The Walk Productions, producers of Little Amal in association with Handspring Puppet Company, said: “Although Amal has now travelled to 18 countries around the world, we have never forgotten the extraordinary welcome she received from the people of London. In a time of uncertainty for many around the world, Amal reminds us of something simple and urgent: every child deserves safety, dignity and hope.
We are thrilled that she returns to share Open Iftar with the Ramadan Tent Project, reconnect with dear friends, and continue to stand as a powerful voice for hope, dignity, and the rights of displaced people everywhere.”
Tony Kitous, Founder, Comptoir Libanais said: “Supporting the Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftar has been a real honour for us at Comptoir Libanais. As an immigrant British Muslim, Ramadan has always been about generosity, community and opening our table to others. Seeing so many people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, come together to share a meal was truly special. We are incredibly grateful to the organisers, the volunteers, and everyone who joined. We are very proud and happy to serve our community and to support an initiative that brings people together in such a meaningful way.”
The evening featured powerful speeches from the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Zia Salik (Islamic Relief UK Interim Director), Tony Kitous (restaurateur and founder of Comptoir Libanais), and Sadiq Khan. The programme included a Qur’an recitation by Qari Yahya Ali ahead of the Adhan, with a Nasheed performance by Safe Adam rounding off the evening following the Iftar meal with final reflections from Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project.
The Grand Finale Open Iftar follows a final successful weekend of Open Iftar events across London. On Friday 13 March, Open Iftar came to AFC Wimbledon, a club built by and for its community, as guests were welcomed to break their fast. In partnership with WWF, one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, guided nature walks through Wimbledon Park offered a moment of stillness and reflection, inviting guests to connect with both the natural world and one another during the final days of Ramadan. Following this, on Sunday 15 March, Horizon 22 welcomed the community at London’s highest free viewing platform for an Open Iftar in the sky! Located on level 58, one of London’s tallest skyscrapers, offered guests a breathtaking view across the city skyline as they came together to break their fast. The day also marked United Nation’s (UN) International Day to Combat Islamophobia and
featured the British Muslim Trust, a UK charity monitoring, reporting and tackling rising anti-Muslim hatred.
Kate Norgrove, WWF-UK Executive Director of Conservation, Advocacy and Policy said: “WWF is proud to have supported Open Iftar in Wimbledon, a beautiful event that brought people together in reflection, community and connection with nature. Moments like this remind us how powerful it is when people unite around shared values of hope and care for our world and the people in it. As Ramadan draws to a close, we invite everyone to continue that spirit by joining millions around the globe for WWF’s Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March at 8:30pm – a simple, collective act to show support for our planet and our shared future. More information and inspiration can be found at wwf.org.uk/earth-hour”
Akeela Ahmed MBE, CEO of British Muslim Trust said: “British Muslim Trust was proud to join and support the Ramadan Tent Project at its wonderful Iftar in the heart of London at the iconic Bishopsgate building. At BMT we support victims of anti-Muslim hate crimes and incidents however we’ve seen that one of the most powerful ways to diffuse anti-Muslim hate is what RTP does so well – bringing people together from all walks of life, open to all faith and non-faith communities, to celebrate over a delicious meal. That’s why as BMT CEO, I believe that more must be done to support and champion initiatives like RTP, which offer a powerful antidote to fear and division.”
AFC Wimbledon’s Marc Jones, Head of Brand, Communications and Marketing said: “We’re proud to once again open The Cherry Red Records Stadium at Plough Lane for the Open Iftar as part of the Ramadan Festival. Last year’s event showed the power of bringing people together around shared values of welcome, reflection and community. As a fan-owned club rooted in our local area, it feels entirely natural for our stadium to be a place where everyone feels they belong.”
Open Iftar, the showcase of the annual Ramadan Festival and the UK’s largest community event series in Ramadan, brings together people of all backgrounds to open their fast and share a meal in the spirit of generosity, inclusion and cultural exchange. Since its inception, Ramadan Tent Project has welcomed and connected with over one million people nationwide, transforming historic, cultural and sporting landmarks into spaces of shared reflection and belonging.
Other programmes and activations taking place during Ramadan Festival 2026 includes the return of Fast A Day now in its 3rd year, working with businesses to host intimate iftars raising awareness about Ramadan and encouraging colleagues to fast a day fostering workplace inclusion and understanding. Also making a return is Ramadan Run Club, a safe space for runners of all backgrounds seeking physical activity and connection in Ramadan, and of course the highly anticipated Open Iftar events across 8 UK cities, hosted at some of the country’s most celebrated and iconic venues.
SUPPORTING PARTNERS:
Islamic Relief UK Interim Director, Zia Salik said: “Ramadan is a sacred month that brings communities together every year. We are delighted to be partnering with the Ramadan Tent Project once again for a series of special iftar events around the country. Now more than ever it is so important to bridge the gaps between communities to combat rising division and inspire hope. If you’ve never been to an Open Iftar I encourage you to do so, everyone is welcome and they provide inspiring moments of togetherness. Whilst some may seek to divide us, our strength is found by working together to tackle the real issues facing families in the UK right now, like the cost-of-living crisis and food poverty, hand in hand with our neighbours from all backgrounds.”
Ismael Danahein, Founder & CEO, EverGive: “The Ramadan Tent Project shows what becomes possible when people gather around shared values – generosity, dignity, and care for one another. At EverGive, our mission is to build long-term structures that help these human instincts endure, not just in moments of crisis, but across time. Supporting this project reflects our belief that when community, culture, and long-term thinking meet, the impact reaches far beyond the table.”
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About Ramadan Tent Project
Ramadan Tent Project is a multi-award- winning British charity established in 2013 with a mission to bring communities together and to further develop the understanding of Ramadan. Ramadan Tent Project organises the annual Ramadan Festival, which is a collection of artistic, cultural, creative events to inspire and engage audiences from all backgrounds, in addition to the UK’s largest community event in Ramadan, Open Iftar.
About Open Iftar
Open Iftar is Ramadan Tent Project’s flagship initiative and the UK’s largest community event in
Ramadan. Open Iftar invites people from all walks of life and is open to people of all faiths and none to increase community harmony, belonging, softening hearts and minds, and turning strangers into friends. ‘Iftar’ is the meal that is prepared and offered to Muslims observing Ramadan when breaking their fast from sunrise to sunset. Since 2013, Open Iftar has connected over one-million people from across the globe including first of its kind events at some of Britain’s most loved & iconic cultural spaces, from Windsor Castle to the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Stadium, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, the V&A and Trafalgar Square, to events at the Baltic Museum, Bradford’s Centenary Square, Coventry Cathedral and many more.
About Ramadan Run Club (RRC)
Fostering a safe space for runners, from diverse faith backgrounds, seeking activity during the holy month that is aligned with the spiritual essence of Ramadan. RRC facilitates connections among runners of all levels, building a healthy, mindful, and spiritually fit community.
About Fast A Day
Fast a Day is a unique initiative designed for businesses and organisations looking to create a more inclusive and meaningful workplace during the month of Ramadan.
