Hundreds attend Ramadan event at Sheffield Hillsborough football stadium
More than 400 residents gathered at Hillsborough Stadium for a special event bringing together Sheffielders of different backgrounds to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The third annual Central LAC Grand Community Iftar was held at the home of Sheffield Wednesday FC.
It was organised by Central LAC team, led by Adeel Zaman, at Sheffield City Council, in partnership with the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme.
An iftar is a meal held just after sunset, when Muslims break their daily fast during Ramadan.
Organisers said: “The gathering welcomed community leaders, councillors, faith representatives and residents who came together to break the fast in a spirit of mutual respect and shared humanity.
Poignant
“A particularly poignant moment unfolded at sunset when the Maghrib prayer was held on the pitch. Led by Hafiz Adil, the prayer was observed by Muslim attendees while many others watched respectfully from the stands, creating a powerful scene that reflected both faith and solidarity.
“Guests representing a wide spectrum of Sheffield’s communities, including Muslims, Christians and members of the Jewish community, sat side by side to share food, conversation and reflection.
“The evening provided a meaningful opportunity for dialogue and connection, highlighting the values of friendship and understanding that underpin the city’s diverse social fabric.”
Faith speakers and councillors addressed the gathering, speaking about universal values of love, compassion, peace and the importance of standing together in times of both celebration and challenge.
Their messages emphasised the role of community events in strengthening trust, encouraging dialogue and building bridges between cultures and beliefs.
Unity
The Grand Community Iftar was funded collectively from funds operated by all 12 Central LAC councillors from the Broomhill and Sharrow Vale, City, Hillsborough and Walkley wards. The council has seven Local Area Committees (LACs), each made up of four neighbouring council wards.
The organisers said: “As guests departed the stadium following the breaking of the fast, the message of the evening was clear: Sheffield remains a place where unity, compassion and shared values continue to bring people together.
“The gathering stood as a living example of the city’s enduring ethos of One Sheffield, Many Communities.”