Azaan was recited at the historic Lord’s Cricket Stadium in the UK during an Iftar event organized to reconnect with the Muslim Community. The initiative was taken by England Cricket Board to strengthen religious harmony in the society.
ECB organized its first-ever Iftar event at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground. The iftar event was attended by high-profile dignitaries. The event was hosted by renowned commentators Aatif Nawaz and Tameena Hussain.
Following the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, ECB is actively making efforts to encourage religious harmony and a culture that is inclusive of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Azeem Rafiq was also a guest at the Iftar event. England’s white-ball captain, Eoin Morgan, was also part of the event.
It's indeed an incredible step and must be thoroughly appreciated and acknowledged by all. Kudos to @ECB_cricket for coming forward in reconnecting with the Muslim community. https://t.co/P90GlnRtYl
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) April 26, 2022
Nakul Pande, Sky Sports Associated Producer, shared a video of Azan being recited in the Long Room of the Lord’s Cricket Stadium. In his video message, he said: “You need not be a person of faith, only a person in possession of a soul, to find the azaan call to prayers reverberating around Lord’s Long Room spine-tingling. A beautiful moment.”
Lord's has opened it's doors for a special Ramadan celebration as cricket looks to reconnect with the Muslim community 🏏pic.twitter.com/j2WuguCIy7
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) April 26, 2022
Really enjoyable evening last night @HomeOfCricket hosting its first ever Iftar. Ramadan Kareem 🙏🏻
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) April 22, 2022
You need not be a person of faith, only a person in possession of a soul, to find the adhan call to prayer reverberating around the @HomeOfCricket Long Room spine-tingling. A beautiful moment. pic.twitter.com/PGN2EsksOC
— Nakul Pande (@NakulMPande) April 21, 2022
An incredible step
“It’s indeed an incredible step and must be thoroughly appreciated and acknowledged by all. Kudos to @ECB_cricket for coming forward in reconnecting with the Muslim community,” said Pakistan’s star cricketer, Shaheen Shah Afridi in a tweet on Tuesday.
Read more: Extremist groups in Karnataka plan to broadcast Hindu prayers during Azaan
Last year, London’s historic monument, Tower Bridge, echoed with Azaan given by a British-Muslim entrepreneur to mark the last Friday of Ramazan.
Kazi Shafiqur Rehman, 35, delivered Azaan in the style of, the Grand Mosque’s head muezzin, Sheikh Ali Ahmad Mulla. While giving a call to prayer on the UK’s popular historic monument, he wore a white thobe and Saudi ghutra as part of an inter-faith virtual iftar.
The Azaan at the Tower Bridge was given during an Iftar hosted by Tower Hamlet Homes, East London Mosque, London Muslim Center, and Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum.