Glasgow to hold Open Iftar for the first time
Glasgow will officially recognise Ramadan by hosting its first ever Open Iftar at the City Chambers in early March.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, will welcome more than 250 people to the Iftar, the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan, on Saturday 7 March.
The event is being delivered by the Ramadan Tent Project which has organised Open Iftars in 30 cities across the UK since 2014.
Glasgow will be joining a network of cities across the UK in hosting an Open Iftar in 2026.
Glasgow has the largest population of Muslim people in any part of Scotland and Ramadan is observed by many Glaswegian families in homes, mosques, and community venues.
Glasgow Life has consulted and engaged communities to ensure the city better reflects and supports the significant proportion of Glaswegians who observe Ramadan with this civic recognition.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said: “As a city that is enriched by many cultures, faiths and traditions, marking religious observances is an important reflection of who we are. This Open Iftar is recognition of how important Ramadan and Islam is to many Glaswegians.”
Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project, said: “Welcoming the return of Ramadan Festival in 2026 fills me with an immensely profound sense of hope - our chosen theme for this year, and a value that sits at the very heart of Ramadan. Hope is what carries communities through challenge, inspires generosity, and reminds us that renewal is always possible. It is the thread that connects our past to our future, and the light that guides us towards compassion, unity, and purpose.
“Entering our 13th year, it is a remarkable to witness the incredible growth of the festival across exciting new spaces, venues and landmarks that reflect the diversity and dynamism of our nation. Allowing us to bring more people together, create deeper cultural experiences, and celebrate the spirit of Ramadan in ways that are more accessible, more vibrant, and more inclusive than ever before. A powerful symbol of how Ramadan is part of Britain’s rich cultural ecology.
“Ramadan teaches us to look inward with sincerity and outward with kindness. By anchoring the Ramadan Festival 2026 in the theme of Hope, we’re honouring that tradition by inviting people from all faiths and none, turning strangers into friends, and collectively imagine and build a future rooted in empathy, connection, and shared humanity. We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors and guests across the UK throughout the festival. We are excited for what this year will bring and grateful to everyone who continues to make this festival a beacon of togetherness.”
Tickets will be available from the Ramadan Tent Project on a first come, first served basis. You can sign up for their newsletter at www.ramadantentproject.com.