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Ramadan: 'Amazing atmosphere' at Windsor Castle Iftar event | Ramadan: 'Amazing atmosphere' at Windsor Castle Iftar event |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Visitors broke their fast with dates before sharing a meal in St George's Hall | Visitors broke their fast with dates before sharing a meal in St George's Hall |
For the first time in its 1,000-year history, an open Iftar event has been hosted in Windsor Castle's State Apartments. | For the first time in its 1,000-year history, an open Iftar event has been hosted in Windsor Castle's State Apartments. |
On Sunday, more than 350 people gathered in St George's Hall to break their Ramadan fast. | On Sunday, more than 350 people gathered in St George's Hall to break their Ramadan fast. |
"It's an amazing atmosphere - it just doesn't feel real," one attendee told the BBC. | "It's an amazing atmosphere - it just doesn't feel real," one attendee told the BBC. |
The holy month of Ramadan, which began over the weekend, sees Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset. | The holy month of Ramadan, which began over the weekend, sees Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset. |
Attendees gathered in rows to break their fast along the length of St George's Hall | |
The free event was organised by London-based charity Ramadan Tent Project. | The free event was organised by London-based charity Ramadan Tent Project. |
Simon Maples, visitor operations director at Windsor Castle, said the King had been "championing religious diversity and encouraging interfaith conversation" for many years. | Simon Maples, visitor operations director at Windsor Castle, said the King had been "championing religious diversity and encouraging interfaith conversation" for many years. |
'We've come a long way' | 'We've come a long way' |
St George's Hall is normally used to entertain heads of state and for special banquets. | St George's Hall is normally used to entertain heads of state and for special banquets. |
On Sunday the call to prayer echoed throughout the building to signal the time to break the fast. Dates were eaten and prayers said before the meal was served. | On Sunday the call to prayer echoed throughout the building to signal the time to break the fast. Dates were eaten and prayers said before the meal was served. |
"It's very kind of the Royal Family to open their home to us," one woman told the BBC. | "It's very kind of the Royal Family to open their home to us," one woman told the BBC. |
Another added: "We never thought we'd be here breaking Iftar. We've come a long way." | Another added: "We never thought we'd be here breaking Iftar. We've come a long way." |
One woman said it was kind of the Royal Family to open Windsor Castle for Iftar | One woman said it was kind of the Royal Family to open Windsor Castle for Iftar |
For those who ate in His Majesty's Windsor home, it was a memory of a lifetime. | For those who ate in His Majesty's Windsor home, it was a memory of a lifetime. |
"I studied history at university, so to actually open my fast in Windsor Castle is not something I ever thought I would do," another woman said. | "I studied history at university, so to actually open my fast in Windsor Castle is not something I ever thought I would do," another woman said. |
"To mix my Muslim identity with that historical knowledge is a real privilege." | "To mix my Muslim identity with that historical knowledge is a real privilege." |
Another attendee said: "I've never been to Windsor Castle before, so this is an awesome experience. The first time to be here and to do it in a Islamic way - amazing." | Another attendee said: "I've never been to Windsor Castle before, so this is an awesome experience. The first time to be here and to do it in a Islamic way - amazing." |
Another invited the King to join them for dinner during the religious month. | Another invited the King to join them for dinner during the religious month. |
"Any day, any time," they said. "We've got Ramadan for 30 days. Let me know when you're ready." | "Any day, any time," they said. "We've got Ramadan for 30 days. Let me know when you're ready." |
Iftars are open to everyone, regardless of faith and background | Iftars are open to everyone, regardless of faith and background |
"The King is an excellent ambassador for this cause and is committed to community cohesion," said Omar Salha, founder and chief executive of Ramadan Tent Project. | |
"We are incredibly grateful for his support towards the British Muslim community." | "We are incredibly grateful for his support towards the British Muslim community." |
Iftars are open to everyone, regardless of faith and background. they are taking place across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the entire month. | Iftars are open to everyone, regardless of faith and background. they are taking place across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the entire month. |
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk |