FOR the first time in its 1,000-year history, Windsor Castle hosted an open Iftar event in its State Apartments. More than 350 people gathered in St George's Hall on Sunday to break their Ramadan fast.
The free event was organised by the London-based charity Ramadan Tent Project. St George's Hall, traditionally used for state banquets, was filled with attendees as the call to prayer signalled the time to break the fast. Dates were eaten, prayers were said, and a meal was served.
"It's an amazing atmosphere – it just doesn't feel real," one attendee told the BBC. Another said, "We never thought we'd be here breaking Iftar. We've come a long way."
Simon Maples, visitor operations director at Windsor Castle, said King Charles had long championed religious diversity and interfaith dialogue.
Omar Salha, founder and chief executive of Ramadan Tent Project, said, "The King is an excellent ambassador for this cause and is committed to community cohesion. We are incredibly grateful for his support towards the British Muslim community."
One attendee invited the King to join an Iftar meal, saying, "Any day, any time. We've got Ramadan for 30 days. Let me know when you're ready."
Iftars are being held across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland throughout the month, open to all regardless of faith or background.
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, in Scunthorpe, northern England, Britain, March 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. (Representational image: iStock)
FBU chief raises concern over rise in racist online posts by union members
THE FIRE Brigades Union (FBU) and other trade unions are increasingly concerned about a rise in racist and bigoted online comments by their own members and officials, according to Steve Wright, the FBU’s new general secretary, speaking to the Guardian.
Wright said internal inquiries have revealed dozens of cases involving members using racist slurs or stereotypes, often aimed at asylum seekers.
He said similar issues were reported in other unions, prompting a joint campaign to counter false narratives around immigration and race promoted by far-right groups online.
“People with far-right views are becoming more brazen in what they do on social media, and I’ve witnessed it with my own union around disciplinary cases and the rhetoric of some of our own members,” Wright said to the newspaper.
He added, “Some of our members and sometimes our reps have openly made comments which are racist and bigoted. In my time in the fire service, that has gone up.”
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. A formal statement addressing far-right narratives will be launched at the union’s annual conference in Blackpool next month.
Wright cited the influence of social media and figures like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage as factors contributing to these incidents. “It feels like an itch that we’ve got to scratch,” he said.
The FBU barred a former official last year for allegedly endorsing racist content on X, including posts from Britain First and Tommy Robinson.
Wright also warned that the union could strike if the government moves to cut frontline fire services.