Sussex Cricket hosts first Iftar event

Sussex Cricket Hosts First Iftar at The 1st Central County Ground

Wednesday 27th March saw over 60 members of the local community come together with Sussex staff in the first ever Iftar event at The 1st Central County Ground.

Members of the Muslim community were invited to break their fast in an event organised by Sussex Board Member, Chiara Khan.

Attendees came from a range of areas in the County, including Brighton, Worthing, Crawley and Forge Wood.

Chiara Khan was joined by fellow Board Member, Varadarajan Kalidasan, as well as; Sussex Chair, Jon Filby, Sussex Men’s Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, Sussex Women’s Head Coach, Alexia Waker, Sussex Women's Regina Suddahazai Khan and Sussex Cricket Foundation Chair, Ish Jalal, for an evening which represented a groundbreaking first for Sussex Cricket. 

The event was the first of its kind ever to be held at the Cricket Club and began with an opening welcome from Jon Filby, before guests were invited to break their fast, pray and get together to celebrate the Islamic holy month.

Speaking on the event, Sussex Board Member, Chiara Khan said: “It is an absolute honour and privilege to have hosted the first Iftar event for SCL. 

“Being the first Muslims female Board Member I want to make great strides in countering the ICEC report. 

“Breaking fast and appreciating the community the Muslim cricket playing population of Northern Sussex provide was an enormous success and has been confirmed by the CEO, Pete Fitzboydon, that this will be an annual and funded event.”

The event was also an opportunity for the community to educate members of the Sussex Cricket organisation on the importance of Ramadan and what it means to be a Muslim, as well as an opportunity for people to discuss the potential barriers the community feels prevents them from joining in with the game. 

Sussex Chair, Jon Filby, added: “It was a privilege to welcome so many cricket loving people to Hove, for our first Iftar.

“We will certainly do it again next year and I very much hope that all those who came to the event will come back for cricket at Hove this summer.

“Eid Mubarak to all celebrating.”