The final days of March this year coincided with two significant milestones for the Muslim community – the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr.
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.
Throughout the 30 days those participating abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset, coming together for a communal evening meal known as Iftar to break the fast.
At the conclusion of Ramadan a festive period of celebration known as Eid al-Fitr begins.
On Tuesday March 11 the Club was delighted to welcome guests from all faiths and cultures to the Members' Dining Room for the Bachar Houli Foundation’s Victorian Iftar Dinner.
The Bachar Houli Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that operates twelve unique programs that reach over 5,000 young people annually.
Since 2019 the MCC, through the MCC Foundation, has partnered with the Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF) and is proud to support their efforts to foster community harmony and provide development opportunities for young Muslims through sports.
The Iftar Dinner has become a fixture of the MCC Foundation’s community activities and 2025 saw a record-breaking 390 guests come together to break their fast at the People’s Ground.
In addition to the eponymous founder Bachar Houli, the evening featured several special guests, including a panel discussion with Melbourne City Captain and highly valued member of the Socceroos Aziz Behich, AFL Executive General Manager of Football Laura Kane and recent Essendon Football Club mature-age recruit and past BHF program participant Saad El-Hawli.
