Earlier this year the Club was privileged to once again welcome guests from Melbourne’s sporting community to the MCG for the annual Bachar Houli Foundation Iftar, presented by the MCC Foundation.
Ramadan, the ninth and most holy month on the Islamic calendar, is a month of spiritual significance for people of Muslim faith. It is a period of gratitude, spiritual discipline, reflection on one’s relationship with God and increased charity and compassion, and involves fasting from sunrise to sunset. Iftar is the evening meal which marks the end of the fast.On Wednesday March 27 more than 370 people from all different backgrounds and beliefs gathered together in the Members' Dining Room to celebrate the breaking of the fast.
Now in its eleventh year, the Iftar Dinner has become a fixture of MCC Foundation’s community activities, and is a fitting event to be held at the ‘People’s Ground’.
In addition to the eponymous founder Bachar Houli, the evening featured several special guests, including a panel discussion with Carlton Football Club star Adam Saad, Richmond AFLW talent Emelia Yassir Richmond Football Club assistant coach David Teague and Bachar Houli Foundation Learning and Development Manager Linna Abdi.
Fittingly, Emilia and Adam shared the impact of Ramadan on their training programs, with both agreeing that although it can be tiring and challenging, the month is an incredibly special time and often correlates with improved on-field performances.
The MCC Foundation has partnered with the Bachar Houli Foundation since 2019, and is proud to support their work to develop young leaders within the Muslim community, using sport in particular to hone valuable skills and foster a sense of belonging.