Open Iftars are events designed to connect and unite people across communities, and Bradford will hold the Open Iftars on 21st and 22nd March.

As part of Bradford 2024 UK City of Culture, Centenary Square will be the home to the second ever Ramadan Pavilion, an outdoor structure celebrating the holy month and Bradford’s multifaith communities inspired by the Festival’s theme of ‘Connection’.

The Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (Bradford 2025) and the award-winning charity Ramadan Tent Project have partnered to bring the Ramadan Festival, Ramadan Pavilion and two of their national Open Iftar events to Bradford – celebrating the Muslim holy month and the cultural diversity of Bradford District. 

Ramadan Festival 2023 saw the launch of the world’s inaugural Ramadan Pavilion, a commissioned structure inspired by the month of Ramadan which celebrates the lived experiences of Muslims across the UK and the globe.

This year it will be hosted in Bradford’s Centenary Square in partnership with Bradford 2025 for the second edition of the Ramadan Pavilion.

Ramadan Tent Project will be organising Open Iftar events in iconic venues across the country, celebrating connection and unity across all communities throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Open Iftar is Ramadan Tent Project’s flagship initiative and the UK’s largest community event in Ramadan.

Open Iftar invites people from all walks of life and is open to people of all faiths and none to increase community harmony, belonging, softening hearts and minds, and turning strangers into friends. ‘Iftar’ is the meal that is prepared and offered to Muslims observing Ramadan when breaking their fast from sunrise to sunset.

As part of the partnership between Bradford 2025 and Ramadan Tent Project, two Open Iftar events will take place on the 21 and 22 March at One City Park, Bradford.

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025, commented: “Bradford 2025 is delighted to welcome the Ramadan Pavilion and Open Iftars to our city as part of our UK City of Culture celebrations.

Ramadan is a time of reflection, community, and generosity—values that are deeply embedded in Bradford’s story. Our district is a vibrant mix of cultures and faiths, and this is a chance for people from all backgrounds to come together, share in the spirit of Ramadan, and experience its significance.

Through our partnership with Ramadan Tent Project, we are embracing the rich diversity of our city, honouring traditions, and opening our doors to welcome everyone.”

Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project said: “For over a decade Ramadan Tent Project has connected and convened more than one million people from all backgrounds through the UK’s annual Ramadan Festival. We are excited to welcome people of all faiths and none, with a focus on this year’s Ramadan Festival theme of ‘Connection’.

This year, we are delighted to partner with Bradford 2025 – the UK’s City of Culture, and feature some of our key activations, including the Welcome Ramadan Conference, Ramadan Pavilion and Open Iftar.

We are proud to represent a pillar of Britain’s rich cultural ecology celebrating community, belonging and inclusion with Bradford 2025.”

He added: “Ramadan holds profound significance for millions observing across the UK and many more across the globe. It is a time of deep introspection, reflection, and self-discipline. It is also a time to connect with family, friends, and the wider community through acts of service and charity.

It is wonderful to be welcomed back by some of the UK’s most historic and iconic venues as hosts of our Open Iftar events and indeed to receive overwhelming interest from new partners and spaces across the capital and the UK. This truly echoes the spirit of Ramadan Tent Project and our Festival theme of ‘Connection’ which seeks to connect more hearts and minds, weaving a tapestry of belonging and connection towards a harmonious society.

We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors, from all faith backgrounds and none, throughout Ramadan Festival 2025.”