For the first time in its 1,000-year history, the Royal Palace in the United Kingdom has opened its gates to Muslims who want to celebrate Ramadan. King Charles made St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle available. Not to celebrate Christian traditions such as Shrovetide and the Christian Lent that begins now, but to celebrate Islam.
Windsor Castle was built by William the Conqueror, who started construction a few years after defeating King Harald Godwinson in 1066, after the latter had fought the Norwegian invasion and King Harald Hardråde at the battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. A battle that put an end to the Viking Age.
Ramadan in the British Royal Palace
There are clearly new times again in the British Isles. Some call the Islamising immigration an invasion, while others are facilitating the spread of the new population by building mosques and celebrating all things Islamic. One of the latter is obviously the British royal family, who have now opened the Royal Palace for Ramadan celebrations. Something that is causing great excitement among Muslims.
«A glimpse into the magic of iftar at Windsor Castle», write the organisers, who have borrowed the castle for Islamic celebrations. Screenshot.
Allah is greatest
Iftar is the Arabic name for the so-called breaking of the Islamic fast. That is, the time when they can start what many describe as a feast at night, after fasting during the day. At the start of the fast, people often shout “Allahu akbar”, i.e. that Allah is greater than our God, and above everything else. The shouting is called adhan, as the organiser in Windsor Castle writes about the event where 350 people took part in the feast:
“We came together to break the fast in a truly historic moment of unity and reflection” and gathered for a beautiful adhan, called from the grand balcony of St George’s Hall. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable evening of unity, connection and community. What a beautiful way to begin our Open Iftar 2025 journey! We look forward to welcoming more of you next Friday to Sunday @guildhalllondon, @cambridgeuniversity, @homeofcricket, @balticgateshead, @the_globe and @sheffmuseums.»
There will be many, many more Ramadan celebrations in the future, and the leader of the initiative is delighted to have organised iftar at the Royal Palace.
The British royal family prepared well to celebrate Ramadan in their own castle. A video released by the British royal family shows King Charles and Queen Camilla helping to pack dates to be sent to local hospitals for Ramadan. Muslims typically start the daily breaking of the fast with dates before moving on to other foods, according to Alkompis, an Arabic online newspaper in Sweden with 2.5 million followers, which showed the video of the date packing.
King Charles and Queen Camilla pack dates for Ramadan. Screenshot from video.
Alkompis writes on their website that they believe that Ramadan will eventually become a Swedish tradition.
Spreading like a plague
The organisers behind the Ramadan celebrations in Windsor Castle were the Ramadan Tent Project. Starting as a small group of Muslim students in 2013, it has rapidly grown into a massive project, organising Open Iftars across the UK, using some of the most venerable buildings for the purpose and, of course, winning some awards for its efforts, as Islamicising “multiculturalism” is so popular in many circles.
«We want to help create a world where everyone lives together in harmony. Our passion lies in creating space for conversation and mutual understanding,” they write on their website. As if Islam lives in harmony with non-Muslims anywhere in the world?
They go on to say that “we work to bridge the gap between individuals of all faiths and non-faiths by increasing the representation of Islam and cultivating a deeper understanding of Islam”.
So? So they want to spread Islam and make sure people understand Islam more by having more Islam everywhere, but that’s the opposite of building bridges and respecting others, isn’t it?
Furthermore, after a number of praiseworthy words about their own Ramadan initiative, they write: «Our purpose? To be a home away from home, strengthen community ties and embody the beauty of Islam.” Again, helping to spread and beautify a religion that is not really native to the West.
Ramadangjest (Ramadanguest) offers Islam in Norway
Of course, we have similar Ramadan programmes in Norway. These include Ramadangjest, allegedly started by Muslim youths, not least Gülen followers in hijab, who offer dates, food and Islam in churches, town halls and thousands of homes, with winged words about Islam:
«Community, culture and new friendships. People are invited to experience Ramadan around the dinner table, sharing stories and building bridges. It’s a celebration of diversity and understanding, a reminder that we are stronger together. Let’s make hospitality and togetherness a way of life – not just in Ramadan, but all year round!” they write, as Ramadangjest also has its own website.
“Tonight I had an iftar dinner and broke the fast with great people,” wrote Jørn Inge Næss, mayor of Skien, after attending last year’s Ramadan celebrations. He also wrote:
“I’ve learnt a lot about Ramadan, faith and outlook on life, but most of all I’ve got to know a lot of wonderfully warm people, who have worked hard at their education and jobs and who are well integrated into Skien society. I heard poignant stories about how Skien and Norway became a new homeland after persecution and threats from undemocratic despots. Many nationalities were gathered tonight and we all have a common platform, a country and a city that show each other respect, generosity and gratitude for living in a democracy. Thank you for an unforgettable evening with the great citizens of Skien,” wrote the Frp politician.
The Liberal politician’s praise of the Ramadan celebrations was of course appreciated by the hosts, who also shared it on Facebook. Screenshot.
The mayor of Oslo invited to his own iftar in Oslo City Hall last year, which Document wrote about, and last year Allah is the greatest in churches in Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim during Ramadan, which Document also wrote about. To mention just a little about the Islam initiative that is also taking place in this country.
Britain offers more Islamic celebrations in museums and historic buildings
Many of the UK’s most iconic historic buildings and attractions will be used to honour Islam and Muslims in the future. In the Yorkshire city of Bradford, a pink Ramadan pavilion outside the city’s town hall will be illuminated each evening to mark the breaking of the Islamic fast. The initiative is also part of the city’s bid to be British Capital of Culture in 2025.
The Ramadan pavilion in Bradford was excitedly launched by the local newspaper well before Ramadan. The comments section was not as enthusiastic. Screenshot.
European architecture inspired by Islam
“The Ramadan Pavilion was inspired by the archways of the old city hall, a little from Mecca and a little from Gothic architecture in Venice,” say the two people who designed the artwork, Fatima Mejbil and Zarah Hussain. Who claim that the listed 1870 town hall in Bedford is also inspired by Islamic architecture.
Defender of faith?
King Charles says he is the Defender of the Faith, like his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, but unlike his mother, he clearly defends all faiths. Perhaps one in particular, and it may not be the country’s Christian heritage. There’s no telling what his predecessor Richard the Lionheart would have said about today’s developments, i.e. the king who in the 12th century was such a great defender of the Christian faith that he went on a crusade to Jerusalem and the Holy Land to get rid of a certain religion that threatened Christians.
Some of the upcoming Ramadan celebrations from this organiser in the UK:
Sunday 2 March – Windsor Castle, Windsor
Friday 7 March – Guildhall, Great Hall, London
Friday 7 March – King’s College, Cambridge
Saturday 8 March – Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Saturday 8 March – Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Sunday 9 March – Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Sunday 9 March – Kelham Island, Sheffield
Friday 14 March – V&A South Kensington, London
Friday 14 March – V&A, Dundee
Saturday 15 March – Cardiff City Football Stadium
Sunday 16 March – AFC Wimbledon
Sunday 16 March – Brighton and Hove Albion FC
Friday 21 March – One City Park, Bradford
Friday 21 March – Aston Villa, Birmingham
Saturday 22 March – Shepherd’s Bush Market, London
Saturday 22 March – One City Park, Bradford
Sunday 23 March – Belfast City Hall
Friday 28 March – Blackburn, MyLahore Glass Marquee
Saturday 29 March – Trafalgar Square, London