Wolves staff, players, parents and community stakeholders embraced Ramadan with an Iftar Feast with the Pack on Tuesday evening, providing a pioneering moment for the football club.
For the first time, around 80 people from different faiths and backgrounds gathered at Molineux to mark the spiritual period of Ramadan.
This year, April is also a spiritual month for many other faiths, with Passover, Easter, Vaisakhi and Ramadan all falling within the same week, this only happens three times per century, and with Wolves celebrating their inaugural One Pack Week during this unique period of time, the intimate Iftar Feast with the Pack provided further celebration.
The event organised and hosted by Wolves was supported by Ebadur Rahman from Nujum Sports, founder of the Muslim Athlete Charter, the intimate evening saw Adama – one of 12 Muslim players in the Wolves first-team and academy join a panel of special guests to talk about what the month has meant to them and the community.
The panel made up of representatives from different backgrounds and professions including Zulf Khan, senior finance manager at Wolves Foundation, Sean Malcolm, Wolves Academy coach, Imam Mohammad Asad MBE, Wolverhampton Central Mosque, Monica Shafaq, CEO of Kaleidoscope Plus Group and Trustee of the Professional Footballers’ Association Charity as well as Reverend Rachel Parkinson, chair of the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District of the Methodist Church
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Speaking to those in attendance, Adama said: “I have been to many places, but I’ve never been in this type of setting. It’s amazing to express myself here at Wolves, and especially today, it’s special to be amongst the community, sharing different opinions, mindsets, and expressing ourselves and our faith. It’s amazing and it’s progress for everyone which can only make us better.
“Sharing conversation is important to learn and respect different experiences. Muslims come from different backgrounds and different places, and it’s important to give our best, also teaching the younger generation the importance of embracing self-identity.”
The panel, led by Gurpri Bains, equality, diversity & inclusion manager for Wolves and Troy Townsend from Kick it Out, discussed faith and spirituality, sharing personal reflections of Ramadan, and the importance of the evening and how this can inspire the next generation.
The question-and-answer panel was followed by the call to prayer, known as Adhaan, which was delivered over the Molineux PA system by Imam Asad, and this was heard by both those in attendance at Molineux and outside the stadium too.
Imam Asad has been working at the local mosque (Jaamia Masjid Aqsa) for over 24 years and is a Hafidh (someone who has memorised the Qur’an) as well as a member of various interfaith groups across the West Midlands. He was honoured with an MBE in recognition of his services to charitable fundraising to the NHS during Covid-19.
Imam Asad said: “It was an epic and historic moment for all the Muslim community in Wolverhampton and beyond, that the Molineux PA system played the Iftaar Adhaan on the 28th day of Ramadhan 1444.
“As an Imam and teacher in Wolverhampton for the past 24 years, it was an exuberant and jubilant occasion to be warmly welcomed at the stadium and to have the honour to deliver the momentous Adhaan during a gracious gathering of players, their loved ones, staff and associates of the club, who all gathered to break their fast together.”
At that point, those of Muslim faith then commenced into prayer, the Maghrib prayer which takes place at sunset, while others in attendance impeccably observed as a mark of respect, as well as education, followed by Iftar which is the first meal of the day for those observing Ramadan.
Wolves worked with their Muslim players and leaders within the local Muslim community including multi-faith leads to arrange the event, with special handmade packs provided for all guests, consisting of honey, dates and holy Zam Zam water kindly donated by the panellists.
For many, Thursday night might be the last night of Ramadan ahead of Eid which will be celebrated this year on either Friday or Saturday.
Marking the end of Ramadan, the Adhaan (call to prayer) will be delivered again over the Molineux PA system by Imaam Asad. This will be heard by those in the vicinity of the stadium at approx. 8.17pm on Thursday 20th April 2023, we encourage local residents gather outside their homes as family, friends or neighbours in belonging and harmony.
