Aston Villa were proud to host an Open Iftar at Villa Park for the third consecutive year on Friday night (March 21).
Once again organised alongside the Ramadan Tent Project, the community event brought together hundreds of Muslims to break their fast at the stadium.
Iftar is the first meal of the day for those who are fasting during Ramadan, which usually lasts between 29-30 days and began on the evening of 28 February this year.
The adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, was recited pitchside to mark the end of the day's fast.
During Ramadan, Muslims don't consume food and water during daylight hours, starting their fast with a meal known as Suhoor and breaking it with an Iftar meal after sunset.
The event was first held at Villa Park in 2023 and aims to increase community harmony, belonging, and turning strangers into friends while breaking fast.
Swipe through a gallery of pictures from the Open Iftar below...
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
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2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
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2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
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2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
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2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
2025 Open Iftar at Villa Park.
Villa employee shares insight on Umrah
Aston Villa employee Junaid Ahmed recently made the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca known as Umrah.
Umrah is a sacred journey that holds immense significance in the hearts of all Muslims. It is a beloved Sunnah that offers a unique opportunity to refresh one’s faith and cleanse one’s soul and aim to gain a closer connection to Allah.
He shared his experiences of the pilgrimage as part of the club's Ramadan celebrations...
What were your most significant spiritual moments during Umrah?
"The Tawaf. Walking around the Kaaba seven times during Tawaf is so powerful. The feeling of being in such a sacred place, surrounded by so many people, all with the same purpose, is humbling and deeply moving.
"Standing at Arafat. While Umrah doesn’t involve the full pilgrimage to Arafat, just being in that sacred space, even for a moment, brings a sense of unity and closeness to Allah.
"Prayers in the Masjid al-Haram. Every prayer feels more special there.
"Drinking Zamzam water. It’s a symbolic and spiritual moment, as Zamzam water is considered sacred. Understanding the benefits and the struggles behind the miraculous journey of this sacred water is deeply profound. The story of Zamzam water is filled with history, faith, and devotion.
"The simplicity and humility. Wearing the Ihram and realizing the simplicity of the pilgrimage allows for a deeper reflection on humility, purity, and the essence of worship."
Junaid.
How has your perspective on your faith changed after performing Umrah?
"Performing Umrah has deepened my connection to my faith in ways words can't fully capture. Being in such a sacred place, surrounded by others who share the same devotion, made me realize how universal and powerful faith is.
"One of the biggest shifts has been in appreciating the simplicity and purity of worship. The experience of standing in prayer at the Kaaba, performing Tawaf, and reflecting in such a spiritual environment made me feel closer to Allah in a way that’s hard to describe. It also brought a new sense of humility, reminding me of the importance of gratitude and sincerity in everything I do.
"My perspective on life, my daily struggles, and my priorities have changed. It’s reminded me of the temporary nature of the world and the importance of focusing on what truly matters: faith, compassion, and seeking closeness to Allah."
What advice would you give to someone completing their first Umrah?
"Stay patient and flexible. Things might not always go as planned, whether it’s dealing with crowds or unexpected delays. Stay patient and keep your focus on the purpose of your trip, which is to reflect, worship and draw closer to Allah.
"Cherish the moment. You might feel overwhelmed at first but remember that this is a rare and special opportunity. Cherish every moment, and let it strengthen your faith."
What lessons did you learn about yourself during umrah?
"Patience and resilience. The long days, the crowds, and the physical demands of Umrah taught me how important patience is. I realized I have more resilience than I thought.
"Gratitude. I gained a profound sense of gratitude for the blessings I often take for granted—my health, my family, and the opportunity to perform such a blessed act of worship.
"The importance of simplicity. The Ihram, which strips away all material distractions, reminded me how unnecessary many of the things I often prioritise are. It was a humbling experience that shifted my perspective on what truly matters."
After completing Umrah, how did this make you feel?
"Completing Umrah left me with a profound sense of peace and fulfilment. There’s a spiritual calm that comes over you after performing such an important and transformative act of worship. It felt like a fresh start, almost like a purification of the soul. I felt closer to Allah, with a renewed sense of gratitude and humility.
"There was also a deep sense of awe, standing before the Kaaba and being in such a sacred place made me feel small in the best way, and reminded me that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves. It was humbling, but also uplifting, knowing that I had the opportunity to perform this blessed pilgrimage.
"At the same time, I also felt a mix of longing and peace. Longing for the opportunity to return one day, but peace in knowing that my efforts were sincere, and I had taken a step closer to fulfilling my faith."