Chelsea Becomes First Premier League Club to Hold an Open Iftar | Sportsmonks
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Chelsea Becomes First Premier League Club to Hold an Open Iftar

First Club to Hold an Open Iftar

Chelsea became the first English Premier League-side to organise an Open Iftar when they opened their doors to the local community on Sunday evening, with hundreds gathering to break their fast pitch side at Stamford Bridge.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Ramadan Tent Project to mark Ramadan.

Paul Canoville, the first black player to play for Chelsea who played 103 games in a five-year period between 1981 and 1986, was a guest speaker at the event.

The Ramadan Tent Project are an award-winning charity established in 2013 with a mission of bringing communities together and developing the understanding of Ramadan.

The Ramadan Tent Project are celebrating their 10-year anniversary and it was their Advisory Board Member, Dowshan Humzah who opened proceedings, followed by speeches from Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE, Chair of Chelsea Foundation.

Lord Finkelstein OBE, said: We are a big community with lots of supporters from different backgrounds and we want to honour, respect and share the joy of every single fan. This is about saying yes to love, inclusion, community and yes to everyone who wants to be a Chelsea fan. It’s very special to be the first Premier League club to host an Open Iftar and something we are extremely proud about.’

Tufail Hussain, UK Director of Islamic Relief and Safwaan Hussein, Imam at the Islamic Culture and Education Centre completed the speeches before a prayer lead by Imran Abu Hassan.

Guests then gathered together to break their fast at the side of the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

Ramadan will be recognised at Chelsea FC and Chelsea Foundation as part of the No To Hate campaign which is a club-wide equality, diversity and inclusion programme that targets hate and discrimination and aims to educate all stakeholders inside and outside of Chelsea FC and football.

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