Sir Sadiq Khan hailed the “power of being Muslim” as he addressed thousands at the “biggest Iftar in the Western world” in Trafalgar Square.
Speaking to the crowd who assembled to break their fast, the Mayor poured praise on worshippers – and warned the “forces of division and darkness” were “trying to scare us to be less Muslim”.
“We see the forces of division and darkness pitting communities against each other, trying to cower us and scare us to be less Muslim, to be less Islamic, to make us scared to put our head above the parapet.
“We’ve shown during this month of Ramadan the power of being a Muslim. The joy of being British.”
He then said the event, organised by Open Iftar, was the largest in the West.
Open Iftar said it had over one million people attend its events throughout the UK last year.
He said: “We have tonight, by the way, not just the biggest iftar taking place in London, not just the biggest iftar in Europe, not just the biggest iftar in the continent of Europe, but the biggest iftar in Western world.”
The mayor of London said he had met Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and atheists all going to eat at the iconic square.
He praised the multi-cultural “allyship” from those of other religions, adding it was “difficult to be a Muslim in 2026”.
Thousands descended on Trafalgar Square to break their fast on Monday
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Sir Sadiq handing out meals at the ‘biggest Iftar in the western world’
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Sir Sadiq also praised London’s Ramadan lights, the first in the Western world, which have now run for four years.
He said: “There were Islamophobes and people denigrating London.
“But I’m really pleased not for one year, not for two year, not for three, but for four years, we’ve had lights celebrating Ramadan in the heart of our city.”
Sir Sadiq also praised the capital’s diversity – a similar message to the one he shared when turning on the Ramadan lights in February.
Sir Sadiq at the Ramadan light switch on in February, praising them as a symbol of diversity
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The iftars, held between February 20 to March 16, were held at “historic landmarks” and “cultural institutions” last year including the British Library and Shakespeare’s Globe, Open Iftar said.
This year’s events were held at sporting venues such as AFC Wimbledon’s and Tottenham Hotspur’s stadiums, and galleries like the Battersea Arts Centre and The National Gallery.
Outside London, events were held at Glasgow City Chambers, Brighton Dome, and Bradford Live.
PICTURED: Sadiq Khan poses with volunteers at the Open Iftar event held in Trafalgar Square
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Open Iftar is organised by the Ramadan Tent Project, a charity which “brings communities together and spreads the spirit of Ramadan,” according to the organisation’s website.
The charity was founded in 2013 when a group of students at SOAS University of London decided to break their fast together.
Ramadan Tent Project says it is open to the “vulnerable, the homeless, those in need of a community, and anyone else who wished to share food and faith”.
London’s Ramadan lights featured the message “Happy Ramadan” and are funded by the Aziz Foundation, a charity which gifts grants and scholarships to British Muslim.