On Tuesday, 18th March, Meadow Lane Stadium became a hub of warmth, unity, and celebration as Notts County Foundation, in partnership with Muslim Hands and The Open Kitchen – Nottingham, hosted a memorable Open Iftar event.
The event marked a gesture of inclusivity and solidarity, bringing people together during the holy month of Ramadan. Attendees enjoyed a beautiful evening of connection and reflection, breaking their fast in the historic home of Notts County Football Club, surrounded by the supportive atmosphere created by both organisations.
The evening kicked off with an introduction pitch-side from representatives of Notts County Foundation and Muslim Hands, highlighting the importance of community-driven initiatives. Guests were then guided to the 1862 suite, where the main Iftar celebration took place.
”It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside Muslim Hands and the Open Kitchen to bring this special Open Iftar event to life. The evening was a great example of community and collaboration. Seeing people from all four corners of Nottingham come together in such a meaningful way during Ramadan was really inspiring. By inviting communities into our home, we are actively showing the connection we want to have with them.
Personally, being involved in every step of this event was very rewarding. It’s not just about creating an event; it’s about making a real difference in our local community. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and look forward to future initiatives that continue to promote inclusivity and support for those in need within Nottingham. – Josh Wing, Marketing and Events Coordinator at Notts County Foundation
Muslim Hands, renowned for its work providing vital support to vulnerable communities, shared insight into its efforts through the Open Kitchen initiative, which has been a lifeline to low-income families, refugees, and those experiencing homelessness. Since its inception, the Open Kitchen has served over 120,000 hot, nutritious meals, truly embodying the spirit of giving and compassion that Ramadan represents.
In addition to the Iftar meal, guests heard about the inclusive football sessions currently being run by Notts County Foundation for South Asian Women and Girls—another example of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and community cohesion.
The evening was further elevated by the attendance of Notts County FC’s senior player, Mai Traore, who joined in the celebrations.
A symbolic moment of the evening was the cutting of a special cake, a visual representation of the collaborative work between Notts County Foundation and Muslim Hands’ Open Kitchen.
The success of the Open Iftar event at Meadow Lane has left a lasting impact, showcasing the power of bringing people together, fostering a sense of belonging, and supporting those in need. Notts County Foundation is proud to have played a part in such a meaningful event and looks forward to continuing its efforts to create an inclusive environment.
”Food poverty is real, and its impact is being felt across the UK, whether it’s people on low income, having lost their jobs or finding themselves homeless.
The Open Kitchen is proud to have partnered with the oldest professional football club in the world, Notts County, to increase awareness and to build support for this movement to ensure no one in our community goes hungry, as well as showcasing our shared values of inclusivity and appreciation of the diverse communities that make up our city of Nottingham.
We saw many new faces from the community at the Iftar event. People from all backgrounds, faith and culture joined us to show support for this amazing cause. We would like to thank the Notts County Foundation for providing us this platform to share our message to the community and to strengthen our partnership to help make a real difference”. – Naser Hussain, Community Mobiliser at Muslim Hands’ Open Kitchen
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Muslim Hands, The Open Kitchen, and all those who attended for making this event such a success. Together, we continue to make Nottingham a stronger, more compassionate community for all.
You can still support the work of the Open Kitchen by donating HERE.
