Ramadan 2026 – Head Office Iftar
Recently, our EDI Team invited colleagues across the country to mark Ramadan by participating in a day of fasting. Lots of people took part and everyone broke their fast together at Iftar in Head Office.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees, there was a spread of delicious home-cooked food for everyone to enjoy. From the ‘most amazing baklava’ to the ‘best biryani’ people have tasted, and from the classic Iftar dish of dates to an array of vibrant fruit plates; it was a smorgasbord of delights at our Iftar together.
Kizzy, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Engagement Lead, said: “The idea for myself and my colleague Akeisha to take part in a fast came from sitting next to Umayyah, who is Muslim, and I started asking her questions out of curiosity. She graciously was happy to speak about her religion and answer my questions, and I began to ask more about Ramadan as it was coming up. She spoke about her family traditions, and as a curious person, I wanted to learn even more. I find that asking questions and being open and curious is the best way to learn from others and find meaning in your life. It was important to me too as I want to encourage colleagues to have healthy conversations about race, faith, religion and all things EDI.
“It was one of my first experiences of fasting and Iftar, and I can see how having faith would make the fast so meaningful and bring people together. One of my favourite experiences of the Iftar was enjoying Hajara’s mum’s biryani. The rice was an experience in and of itself; it truly was the best rice dish I have ever had. It was perfectly savoury, fresh, hot and clearly cooked with love. I felt really good for eating it after a whole day of fasting and I would absolutely take part in fasting again.
“The experience on the day was so wholesome, and it was so nice to see everyone coming together to enjoy some home-cooked food after a day of fasting. Being together with colleagues and experiencing the Iftar for the first time was so fun too. I’m really looking forward to the Eid-al-fitr celebrations at the end of March, so keep an eye out for more information on how to get involved!”
Akeisha, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Development Lead, said: “In the morning, I got up early to eat breakfast with the sun, and though I was alone, I felt so connected to millions of people around the world. The feeling stuck with me the whole day, knowing that while I’m fasting, they are too and I’m not alone in this. Myself and colleagues who also took part in the fast spoke about how thirsty we were and the brain fog that settles in, but we still felt amazing knowing why we were doing it and that we were connected with others doing the same.
“Every year since the EDI Team’s inception, we have worked to share information and awareness about religious celebrations that ourselves and our colleagues are taking part in and enjoying. Last year we produced lots of information about supporting our colleagues through Ramadan, and this year we got to experience it for ourselves and learn what our Muslim colleagues experience every year. It is so meaningful, and though these changes might seem small, they make a difference.”
Olivia from our Housing Team said: “I was delighted to be invited to break the fast with my colleagues at Head Office. We’re so busy in the office that we seldom get to speak to each other about other parts of our lives, but we were chatting about fasting, prayer and religious celebrations. It was a wonderful event with delicious home-cooked food prepared by my colleagues and their families. I tasted the best chicken biryani I have ever had and I tried baklava for the first time, which I loved. Thank you so much to my colleagues for allowing me to be part of this special occasion.”
Attendees enjoyed each other’s company, appreciating our Muslim colleagues and learning about celebrating Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr, which marks the end of the religious period.
Colleagues from the Tendering Team added: “A very special thank you to everyone who brought food, cooked dishes, made sides, prepared desserts, helped set up, or stayed behind after to tidy up! When we show up for each other like this, we make our workplace such a positive and inclusive place to be. A special thank you to Hajara, Umayyah and Batir who allowed us to take part in their traditions and answered so many questions. Thank you all again for your kindness, participation and support. We are so grateful to work alongside such thoughtful and engaged colleagues.”
We want to wish all of our Muslim colleagues and loved ones Ramadan Mubarak!
If you would like to get in touch with our EDI Team, please email EDI@creativesupport.co.uk