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Football club hosts first-ever Iftar event

James Grant & Kate Bradbrook
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Kate Bradbrook/BBC A large group of people stand by the side of a football pitch.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
The event marks the first time Northampton Town FC has hosted an Iftar

A football club has hosted an Iftar event for the first time in its 128-year history.

Northampton Town Football Club opened Sixfields Stadium to members of the county's 14 mosques on Monday, offering them a space to pray and share a meal.

Iftar is the name given to the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan, when many Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.

Ygor Santos, the club's fan engagement officer said: "This is about bringing communities together. This is the first official [Iftar], and, hopefully, it's the first of many."

Kate Bradbrook/BBC A man in a Northampton Town tracksuit smiles at the camera. Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Ygor Santos said the event was a "great opportunity" for the football club to learn about the Muslim community in Northamptonshire

During the event, guests stood by the pitch with prayers held on the stadium concourse.

The initiative was led by Raff Miah from the Northamptonshire FA, who wanted to recognise Ramadan.

Mr Miah wants the event to be even bigger next year: "Ultimately, we want to go out on to the pitch and do the call to prayer, the Adhan."

Kate Bradbrook A man in a navy blazer and white striped shirt stands in a busy room.Kate Bradbrook
Raff Miah invited representatives from every Northamptonshire mosque to the event

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