The Mayor of London additionally spoke of the enjoyment of being British.
Sir Sadiq Khan speaks on the occasion (Picture: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock)
Sir Sadiq Khan declared the “energy of being Muslim” as hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Sq. for what he referred to as the largest iftar within the Western world. Addressing the group breaking their Ramadan quick, the mayor praised attendees and pushed again towards perceived threats.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq mentioned: “We see the forces of division and darkness pitting communities towards one another, attempting to cower us and scare us to be much less Muslim, to be much less Islamic.” He added: “We have proven throughout this month of Ramadan the facility of being a Muslim. The enjoyment of being British.”
Sir Sadiq Khan meets and greets on the iftar (Picture: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA/Shutterstock)
Sir Sadiq, who was knighted for public service, claimed the Open Iftar occasion—organised by the Ramadan Tent Undertaking—surpassed all others within the West.
He instructed the meeting: “We have now tonight… not simply the largest iftar happening in London, not simply the largest iftar in Europe… however the greatest iftar in Western world.”
The mayor highlighted interfaith participation, noting he met Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and atheists sharing the meal within the iconic sq.. Sir Sadiq praised the “multi-cultural allyship” from different faiths, acknowledging it was “tough to be a Muslim in 2026.”
He additionally celebrated London’s Ramadan lights—now of their fourth 12 months—as a defiant image towards critics.
Sir Sadiq mentioned: “There have been Islamophobes and folks denigrating London. However I am actually happy… for 4 years, we have had lights celebrating Ramadan within the coronary heart of our metropolis.”
The Ramadan Tent Undertaking, based in 2013 by SOAS College college students, promotes neighborhood by means of open iftars welcoming the weak, homeless, and all faiths. Final 12 months, its UK occasions drew over a million attendees.
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This 12 months’s programme featured venues together with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Nationwide Gallery, and websites past London similar to Glasgow Metropolis Chambers and Bradford Reside.
The Trafalgar Sq. gathering capped a sequence of high-profile iftars held from February 20 to March 16, underscoring London’s embrace of its numerous Muslim neighborhood amid ongoing debates over integration and id.
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