It was fantastic to welcome both our older and younger participants as we prepared for Ramadan, with Lead Academy Physiotherapist Zubair Haleem joining us to educate them on how to approach the holy month from a nutritional perspective and how he supports academy players who are fasting.
Throughout the sacred month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a period of fasting, abstaining from food and drink from dawn until sunset for 30 days. It is a time of reflection, discipline and spiritual growth.
To give our young people a well-rounded understanding of the month, the group was split into two sessions. In one room, a local Imam spoke about the fundamental teachings of Ramadan, focusing on the spiritual significance of fasting and the values of patience, gratitude and community.
In the other session, Lead Academy Physiotherapist Zubair Haleem shared his personal journey into sport and explained how he advises academy players on nutrition during Ramadan. He also discussed how Muslim athletes across the Premier League manage their diet and hydration while fasting, highlighting the importance of planning meals carefully to maintain energy levels and performance throughout the holy month.
Zubair said, "I was honoured to deliver a workshop on Ramadan in football with the local Somali community at the Arsenal Hub. It was inspiring to see the club working alongside Finsbury Park Mosque to create a genuine sense of belonging for young people who love Arsenal but haven’t always had opportunities to engage directly.
"Seeing them contribute so openly in the workshops and then light up at the thought of playing on the pitch was a powerful reminder of how football can bring faith, identity and community together."
Following the sessions, participants enjoyed time together on the Arsenal Hub pitch, putting their discussions into action with a friendly game of football.
Jack Ironside, Senior Social Inclusion Manager at Arsenal in the Community, said:
“The idea behind today was to bring local young people together to have open conversations about Ramadan, looking at fasting, nutrition and exercise during the month.
"We also wanted to connect with the mosque to discuss the faith side of Ramadan, emphasising the spiritual importance of the month and using sport as a way to bring people together.
"We had a wide range of ages involved, and everyone really enjoyed it. These spaces are important for young people, and it’s vital that we continue reaching out to our community.
"Living in boroughs such as Islington, it’s important that we respect different cultures, take the time to understand one another and learn from each other. When we do that, we build a more positive and supportive society.”
For more information on our social inclusion programmes and how you can get involved, email Senior Manager for Social Inclusion, Jack Ironside, on [jironside@arsenal.co.uk](mailto:jironside@arsenal.co.uk)
Ramadan Event
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