Eid Mubarak – as Rugby League continues to demonstrate inclusion is in its DNA

This Ramadan marked the third year of clubs opening their doors to warmly welcome Muslim fans, players and community representatives for iftar events in Rugby League stadiums, with Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, Sheffield Eagles and Bradford Bulls bringing communities together during the holy month. 

The Bulls were the first club to host an iftar in 2023, the Giants became the first Super League club to do so in 2024, and this year Leeds Rhinos made their own piece of history with an iftar in the Lewis Jones Suite and at AMT Headingley during the Round 5 fixture against Wigan Warriors on March 22, as the Rhinos Foundation worked closely with the Hamara Centre. 

Huddersfield’s 2025 iftar was attended by the Wigan Warriors and Lebanon wing Abbas Miski as well as Giants players Elliot Wallis and Jack Billington, Club Ambassador Councillor Masood Ahmed, the Mayor of Kirklees and West Yorkshire’s first Inclusivity Champion, Fatima Khan-Shah. 

The RFL has been working with clubs to increase understanding of Ramadan and support for Muslims involved with the sport, including through Rugby League’s partnership with Nujum Sports. 

Ramadan packs were again provided to Muslim players in the professional game, and the pause protocol - enabling players to open their fast during matches – was improved in 2025, with Nujum Sports delivering training to the RFL’s full-time match officials. 

Ikram Butt, who became the first British Asian and Muslim to represent England in either rugby code several decades ago, remains at the forefront of the sport’s efforts to engage more effectively, and supported the iftars at Sheffield, Bradford and Huddersfield, following on from his presence at a Speaker’s House reception to mark South Asian Heritage Month hosted by the then RFL President Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP last summer, and the success of the British Asian Rugby Awards at the same venue last November.

RFL Senior EDI Partner, Ben Abberstein, said: “The iftars held by clubs this Ramadan have been remarkable and driven by their exceptional commitment to building belonging and ensuring everyone feels welcome in Rugby League. Iftars are about more than just breaking fast together - it’s about breaking down barriers and building meaningful connections.”