Rangers host Scottish Iftar event for Muslims celebrating Ramadan at Ibrox

Rangers Football Club has hosted an Iftar celebration at Ibrox Stadium for Muslims ending their Ramadan fast.

Around 250 people attended the event held in the southside of Glasgow on Monday evening, with a call to prayer and a fast-breaking meal served.

Rangers are the second Scottish football club after Motherwell, and first in Glasgow, to host a Scottish Iftar.

Organised by the Scottish Asian Business Chamber, the event took place at the stadium from 5pm and was attended by Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart and Connal Cochrane from the club’s charity foundation.

Rangers host Scottish Iftar event for Muslims celebrating Ramadan STV News

Its aim is to teach more people about Ramadan and the Muslim community by hosting Iftar events at football stadiums across the country.

Faiza Baqir of the Well Foundation, and Junaid Ashraf of the Scottish Asian Business Chamber also attended the event.

The event was open to all, regardless of faith or background, with local residents, business leaders, and community organisations all invited to be part of the gathering which celebrated “diversity, connection, and shared values”.

Described as being “more than just a meal”, the event aimed to “strengthen social bonds across different communities, celebrate cultural diversity and highlight the role of leadership in building an inclusive society.”

Attendees were served a fresh made meal from 6.31pm.

Speaking from Ibrox Stadium before the Iftar, Mr Ashraf said: “The Scottish Iftar is a programme that we have launched this year as a collaboration between the Scottish Asian Business Chamber and the Well Foundation to teach more people about Ramadan and the Muslim community by hosting Iftars, which is the breaking of the fast, at football stadiums across Scotland.

“We could have used the parliament or Edinburgh Castle, and they would have been fantastic venues.

“But football stadiums are like people’s homes in a way, people have such a strong affinity with football clubs.

“So to be able to host an Iftar and break the fast at a stadium, we are being welcomed by the club and we are really heartened by the response that we have had from Motherwell Football Club and Rangers Football Club.

“Over 300 people attended our Iftar event at Motherwell Football Club and when we released tickets for the event at Rangers, around 250 tickets had gone within 12 hours.

“There is a huge demand for people to bring their Muslim identities and Scottish identities together and to share that with other football fans.

“This is only the beginning and we hope to grow this year on year.”

After the event Mr Cochrane, from the Rangers Charity Foundation, said: “The Rangers Charity Foundation is really committed to diversity and inclusion, I was happy to be involved with club colleagues to welcome so many people here.

“It’s one thing to say you are welcoming, but it’s another thing to show it as well, and I think events like this really help emphasise the pride that the club has in diversity and the importance that it attaches to it.”