Club Doncaster Foundation host first Community Iftar Event

During Ramadan, we were delighted to host the first community Iftar event at the Eco-Power Stadium. With over 100 delegates attending the event was an opportunity for people across Doncaster to learn about Ramadan and the fasting process that many Muslims follow during this period.

John Davis, CEO commented “Football stadiums are rooted in their communities and it was a privilege for us to host this event. Bringing people together to learn, socialise and share food together is a simple but effective way to bring communities together.

“There’s been so many fantastic people that have supported us to get to this point, so I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered, supported the event and attended on the evening.”

This work was an opportunity to further our work with Healthy Her, City of Doncaster Council and allowed us to pull together some work we’ve been doing on the Premier League Fans Fund programme that is focused on engaging with communities across Doncaster that aren’t currently accessing the stadium, or our wider programmes.

The event was organised in partnership with Healthy Her, with Akeela commenting “The Iftar was a beautiful evening of unity, love, and shared humanity. It brought together Muslims and non-Muslims in a spirit of understanding, respect, and community cohesion — a true reflection of the power of coming together during the blessed month of Ramadan.”

Locally, a lot of work has happened through the ECFN and Arshad and Roomana both spoke at the event and run a session on myth busting. Arshad commented “Muslims and non-Muslims all came together to take part in the Community Iftar as an example of Doncaster solidarity, collaboration, and building community relationships for peace, harmony, understanding and learning. 

“We are acutely aware we will not eradicate racism, Islamophobia, prejudice, bias or indeed negative commentary however, the overwhelming and oversubscribed event illustrated Doncaster’s organisational and individual values. 

“It has taken courageous leadership and innovative ideas to build this event as a stepping stone for an annual gathering to celebrate not only Ramadan but the convergence of people of other Abrahamic faiths (Christianity & Judaism) and all faiths and no faith uniting and aspiring to reflect principles that are not isolated to sport alone such as fairness, inclusion, respect, fair play and standing up for those who face racism, prejudice, bias and bigotry.”

The event saw Iman Alli open the event and give everyone in attendance an insight into Ramadan and how Muslims across Doncaster and the world partake in the holy month.

John Davis commented: "Without our keynote speakers; Iman Alli, Councillor Majid Khan, Arshad Khaliq, Roomana Shafiq, this event wouldn’t have ben possible. I would also like to thank RdASH and Doncaster Fruit and Vegetables for their contributing support to the food and items used to break the fast.”

Finally, we want to say a huge thankyou to our fantastic volunteers from Healthy Her, and our volunteers from Club Doncaster Sports College; Lewis Elliott, Calvin Irvine, Jamie Stead, Harry Hodgetts, Benjamin Fitzgerald and imagery on the night taken by Faith Kelliher.