Author: Equi
Published on: February 28, 2026
Wednesday 25th February 2026 saw Equi welcome senior politicians, policymakers, diplomats, faith and civil society leaders, champions of business and a breadth of community leaders to a landmark Ramadan Iftar at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Westminster, central London.
The evening reflected Equi’s driving belief: that Britain can be a country where social justice, empathy and inclusivity sit at the heart of policymaking.
At a time of renewed debate about cohesion and belonging, the gathering reinforced a shared ambition for Britain to be a place where every community feels seen and every citizen is valued, supported by faith-literate policymaking that is inclusive, practical and rooted in real understanding.
The keynote address was delivered by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, who called for a “reminder of common ground, and shared values.”
He noted that the UK is home to one of the most diverse Muslim communities in the world and highlighted the significant role British Muslims play in shaping national life. The Secretary of State referenced Equi’s research as a key example of this, where British Muslims donate to charitable causes at levels far above the national average.
Reflecting on the holy month of Ramadan, he added:
“The values of Ramadan speak to all of us, no matter who we are and what we believe.”
The evening also featured contributions from Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC, Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety Dr Zubir Ahmed, Equi’s Managing Director Professor Javed Khan and Sarah Owen, co-chair of the APPG on British Muslims.
Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, speaking to guests at the RICS, emphasised the scale and trajectory of Muslim contribution across sectors:
“Muslim communities’ contributions to British society are immense and growing. We are operating at the very highest level.”
Sarah Owen MP, as a co-chair of the APPG on British Muslims, and a non-Muslim supporter, reflected on the importance shared responsibility to tackle anti-Muslim hatred:
“It should not just be left up to British Muslims to stand up against anti-Muslim hatred, or to champion the good that British Muslims create within our society.”
This landmark iftar brought together leaders from across the political spectrum and from all faith’s and none, to recognise something too often overlooked: British Muslims are a vital part of this country’s social and economic fabric. It reinforced the fundamental belief that by building strong partnerships, policymaking can be transformed to reflect an open, empathetic, and inclusive Britain.
Equi’s Managing Director, Professor Javed Khan OBE, underlined the importance of evidence-based policymaking and sustained collaboration:
“At a time when cohesion is under strain and misinformation fuels division, Equi is committed to bringing clarity, credibility and constructive solutions.
Our message was simple: British Muslims matter, their contribution is measurable, and their partnership is essential to building a fairer, more confident and more united Britain.
What is needed now is sustained collaboration, evidence-based policymaking and a renewed commitment to ensuring every community feels seen, valued and protected. Equi stands ready to support that work – not from a place of grievance, but from a place of strength, partnership and national purpose.”
As guests marked this holy month and broke their fast together, the spirit of Ramadan – being discipline, generosity and hope – served as a powerful reminder of what is possible when policy is grounded in empathy and real-world understanding.
Equi will continue to work with partners across Parliament, civil society and business to ensure that the values reflected during Ramadan translate into practical action in the months ahead.
Advancing a fairer society for all.
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