Hundreds attend Community Iftar

17 March 2026

AMP chair Ed Barnes addresses guests.

Police officers came together with the public when the West Midlands Police Association of Muslim Police (AMP) hosted another successful annual Community Iftar at the Force’s Tally Ho training centre.

More than 230 people attended the event which was held on Saturday 7 March and raised more than £5,600 for the chosen charities – Islamic Help and Children with Cancer UK.

West Midlands Police Federation sponsored prayer facilities at the event and both branch secretary Tim Rogers and deputy chair Mat Minton attended along with Acting Chief Constable Scott Green and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster.

Tim Rogers, Federation branch secretary, with Dr Mariam Malik.

“The Federation sponsorship provided a clean and safe space for Muslim colleagues and the community to pray,” explains Ed Barnes, chair of the West Midlands Police (AMP).

“Both Tim and Mat took part in the Ramadan Experience in solidarity with the Muslim community and its colleagues and even shared their experiences with the audience on the night.

“Without the support of the Police Federation, we would not be able to host such special events. The kindness and compassion the Federation has shown in support of its Muslim members during the holy month of Ramadan is commendable and I want to put on record my thanks on behalf of WMP AMP and its members to the Federation for its amazing and heart-warming support. I hope we can continue to work together and support both our members in the best possible way.”

Meaningful

Iftar is one of the most spiritually and socially meaningful moments of the day for Muslims during Ramadan, marking the end of daily fasting and a transition from restraint to gratitude.

Tim said after the event: “Taking part in the Ramadan Experience gives a real moment of reflection. You feel the hunger and the tiredness through the day, but you also know that when the sun sets there will be a meal waiting and people to share it with.

“That is a reminder that many people around the world live with that same hunger but without the certainty of when their next meal will come. It brings a real sense of gratitude and perspective.”