Open Iftar at Dewsbury and District Hospital celebrates Ramadan, charity and 150 years of care | Charity news

MY Hospitals Charity and the Chaplaincy Team at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust welcomed colleagues, local faith leaders, and residents to a special open Iftar event at Dewsbury and District Hospital on 25 February.

The Iftar - traditionally the sunset meal that ends the daily fast during Ramadan - was open to all, inviting both Muslim and non Muslim guests to come together, connect, and reflect on their shared experiences of the hospital while looking ahead to its future.

This meaningful evening of reflection and shared purpose provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate Ramadan and to recognise the strong relationship between the hospital and its community. Attendees also acknowledged the long history of community support for MY Hospitals Charity, including contributions to the MRI Appeal and ongoing fundraising efforts since the hospital first opened 150 years ago.

To mark the hospital’s anniversary, speakers reflected on the generations who have relied on its care and on the deeper lessons of Ramadan. One reflection shared on the night captured this sentiment: “The fast isn’t just from food; it is also from negativity. It teaches gratitude and empathy and reminds us that charity isn’t optional - it's necessary.”

Local Imam, Abubakr Diwan, highlighted the enduring trust the community places in Dewsbury and District Hospital. He said:

“For 150 years, this hospital has stood as a place of care, compassion, and reassurance for local people. Generations of families in Dewsbury and the surrounding areas have been born here - including me - and have been treated, comforted, and supported here in their most vulnerable moments. That kind of history does not just build buildings; it builds trust.”

Reflecting on the hospital’s daily expression of inclusion, Reverend Charlene Smith, Head of Chaplaincy, added:

“In our multi faith centre on any given day, you can see Muslim colleagues in prayer, a Jewish colleague in reflection, and a Christian family in the chapel - faiths side by side, serving our patients and each other. That daily picture of hope is what this hospital stands for.”

In the spirit of Ramadan - where generosity, reflection, and community action are central - MY Hospitals Charity showcased the activities planned throughout this anniversary year as part of the ‘Dewsbury 150’ celebrations. Funds raised will support a range of enhancements at Dewsbury and District Hospital, including improvements to the Children’s Outpatients waiting area, creating a more welcoming environment for chemotherapy patients, supporting Arts for Health projects, and improving wheelchair access across the site.

Emma Dickens, Head of Charity, emphasised the importance of this work:

“Our charity exists to enhance patient experience across our three hospitals by supporting projects that go above and beyond what’s expected. This hospital is deeply rooted in and shaped by its community, and 150 years is something truly worth celebrating. We want this to be a year of celebration, and of investing in the future of Dewsbury and District Hospital.”

The event also acknowledged the vital role of the Trust’s Chaplaincy Service, which provides spiritual, emotional, and pastoral support to patients, families, and staff of all faiths and none.

Aslam Seedat, Chaplain, paid tribute to staff who continue to care for patients with professionalism and compassion throughout Ramadan - many while fasting themselves. He shared: 

“Staff have been wonderful. There has been so much community camaraderie, and we have been creating around 80 Iftar packs a day to support staff who may need to break their fast at work. This event has been a great opportunity to sit together and celebrate during such an important time of year.”

Additionally, the Bronte Birth Centre hosted a parallel listening and celebration event on Wednesday evening to coincide with Iftar. It provided an important opportunity for families to share their experiences of maternity care and to continue strengthening relationships between the service and local communities.

For more information about the Dewsbury 150 celebrations or to support projects at Dewsbury and District Hospital, please visit www.myhospitalscharity.org/dewsbury-150.