News: Iftar Events Held As Part Of Ramadan Celebrations

Watford FC have been celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, which is a time of spiritual reflection, heightened devotion, self-improvement and worship for the Muslim faith.

For the second year running, a group of staff members from across the club and Watford FC’s Community Sports & Education Trust supported our friends in the local Muslim community and beyond, as well as our players and staff who observe Ramadan, by taking part in a three-day period of fasting.

The Hornets have also become the first club to host two different Iftar events, both of which were held at Vicarage Road during Ramadan and were attended by over 200 people across the two evenings.

Iftar is the name of the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan and is the main meal of the day for those who are fasting. The events were also attended by local dignitaries and people from different faiths and backgrounds.

The first was arranged by Nujum Sports, who have worked closely with the club to support our Muslim players and provide education and awareness training for staff since 2021.

The second was organised by the Watford Muslim Youth Centre Trust, who have been incredibly supportive with our work to make Vicarage Road a fully inclusive stadium and encouraged local Muslim community members to attend more matches.

Ebadur Rahman, CEO of Nujum Sports, said: “Over the last year, Nujum have been working tirelessly with Watford FC with a primary mission of enabling their Muslim athletes to flourish and fulfil their potential.

“Watford were the first club to sign the Muslim Athlete Charter and have taken this very seriously every step of the way. We were honoured to hold our athlete Iftar at Vicarage Road and hope our relationship goes from strength-to-strength next season.”

Imran Khan, Secretary Trustee for Watford Muslim Youth Centre, said: “We are grateful to Watford Football Club, who facilitated a wonderful Iftari event (breaking of fast) with the Muslim community and with people of all backgrounds and faiths. There was a uniquely festive and educational vibe and feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.”

Zahid Zarin, the Chairman for Watford Muslim Youth Centre, said: “Watford are doing a wonderful job of involving people from different communities, including the Muslim community. The sense of our shared humanity is apparent at Watford Football Club and we applaud the non-Muslim staff members who fasted for three days in this month of Ramadan.”

The Watford Muslim Youth Centre Trust was set up in May 2012 with the aim of establishing a multi-purpose community centre in Tolpits Lane, Watford. The Centre will be an interactive space offering a wide range of educational and recreational activities to people of all ages and backgrounds. WMYCT are already designing services and activities to be implemented and hope their endeavours will promote togetherness within Watford and help build bridges between various ethnic groups.

The Trust has raised approximately £2m and requires a further £500k to complete their construction project. Donations are welcome to help them achieve this goal: Lloyds Bank; Account Name: WMYC; Account Number: 01467260; Sort Code: 77-95-51. More details can be found HERE.

Nujum Sports aims to promote a culture of educational excellence for Muslim athletes, from within a caring and secure Islamic environment enriched with the values of discipline, mutual care and respect which extends beyond and into the wider community.

The Muslim Athlete Charter created by Nujum Sports provides a framework to challenge organisations to make progress on recognising and providing support for Muslim athletes. Watford are proud to have been the first club to sign the charter. More details can be found HERE.

For full details on the equality, diversity and inclusion work we are doing across Watford Football Club and the Community Trust, please click HERE.