The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are preparing to celebrate the return of their annual Iftar event tomorrow, Friday the 14th of April 2023.
Hosted by Bulldogs legend and ambassador Hazem El Masri and his wife, Arwa Abousamra, the Club is greatly looking forward to celebrating the rich diversity of its community with this cultural event.
2022 Iftar with the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs first formally celebrated Iftar last year in 2022, and the event remains the NRL's only Iftar formality.
Iftar is the evening meal in which those of the Muslim faith end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset, at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer.
With over 79,000 thousand citizens (approximately 21%) of the City of Canterbury-Bankstown celebrating the Muslim faith, the Bulldogs are proud to celebrate this event as a major community event within their hometown.
Coming to Belmore Sports Ground for the first time, the Bulldogs are thrilled to host a Middle Eastern buffet for over 250 guests to mark the event.
"Being the first Muslim Rugby League player in NRL history, I trained and played for the Bulldogs during the month of Ramadan my entire career," said El Masri of the Club's inaugural event last year.
"I broke my fast in private during half-time many times. It is a wonderful step forward for the Bulldogs to be the first club in the NRL to host the Inaugural Bulldogs Ramadan Iftar 2022. It demonstrates the Bulldogs' ongoing commitment to community and their focus on cultural awareness and relevance in the greater community".
Co-Host Abousamra added: "Over the years Hazem and I hosted Iftar dinners for many of our Rugby League family during the month of Ramadan in our home. We shared a part of us that is a pillar of our Islamic faith."
This year, the couple will be back with great pleasure to host the Bulldogs Ramadan Iftar 2023 Event where the Club hopes to continue leading the way for the NRL, in connecting with a community in which it thrives.
“The Muslim community have a long history of supporting the Bulldogs, both on and off the field," said Bulldogs Chief Executive, Aaron Warburton.
"The club has had many wonderful Muslim players represent us over the years and we currently have a new generation coming through our Junior League, Junior Reps and Pathways systems.
Rugby League is an inclusive and welcoming sport, and as a Club we pride ourselves on our commitment to our community and extended Bulldogs Family.
"The initiative to host the NRL's first-ever and now annual Iftar Event is something we should be proud of, and we look forward to welcoming a number of guests from across the NRL to Belmore Sports Ground this Friday."
The Annual Bulldogs Iftar Event will take place at Belmore Sports Ground between 4pm and 6:35pm and is an invite-only affair.
The Club hopes that interest in the event will continue to grow, so that patrons across Western Sydney and the Nation can get involved in future events.
While the Club is looking forward to celebrating the Iftar Event this Friday, the Club also recognises that it is Holy Friday in the Orthodox calendar. The Bulldogs would like to acknowledge this day and also wish those who celebrate, a safe and happy Easter (Kalo Pascha) at the weekend.
