Yesterday, a powerful cross-network collaboration brought together over 100 guests at the Discover Ramadan Iftar 2026, hosted at the magnificent East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre – one of Europe’s largest mosques.
Guests – many of whom had never visited a Mosque before – experienced Ramadan firsthand through guided tours, inspiring presentations, and a delicious Iftar meal. The evening was filled with meaningful networking, thoughtful conversations, and the opportunity to observe communal prayer alongside more than 3,000 worshippers- a truly reflective and moving sight.
We were honoured to hear from an outstanding panel of leaders who shared powerful reflections on faith, leadership and inclusion:
Jeremy Westlake, CEO of Network Rail
Patricia Obinna, Head of D&I at Transport for London
Desiree Blamey, MD of Considerate Contractors
Tim Holmes and Yusuf Kalam, Muslim Aid UK
Junaid Ahmed , CEO of East London Mosque
Sheikh Mu’taz Al Ghannam, who delivered a heart trembling recitation of the Qur’an- a beautiful art form that takes years to master
Expertly and energetically hosted by Nasir Khan MBE, Co-Founder of Muslims in Rail
The common thread throughout the evening was clear: leadership means standing firm in our shared values of togetherness. It means celebrating the positivity that faith brings to our workplaces and wider society – especially at a time when divisive rhetoric and misguided online portrayals continue to be amplified.
There is no substitute for real human connection. It remains the most powerful antidote to hate.
Muslims in Rail extends sincere thanks to our volunteers and partner networks for making the evening possible:
TfL Muslim Network | Muslims In Construction | Consortium of Muslim Professional Networks | The Association of Muslim Lawyers UK | Association of Muslim Engineers (AME) | Greater London Authority Muslim Network | British Transport Police Muslim Network | British Islamic Medical Association | Muslim Doctors Association & Allied Health Professionals CIC
With gratitude also to our generous hosts at the East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre, our caterers All Season Foods Group media partner Islam Channel, and our ever-dependable charity partner Muslim Aid UK .
An evening of faith, fellowship and friendship – and a reminder that when we come together, we build understanding that lasts far beyond one night.
