A cherished tradition continued at the GIANTS Community Centre on Thursday night, as the club and the Bachar Houli Foundation celebrated the eleventh annual GIANTS Iftar Dinner. 

A highlight of the club’s annual events, the GIANTS welcomed over 600 guests to the gathering, aimed at uniting the local community to honour cultural diversity and commemorate the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. 
 
The evening featured a variety of special guests, headlined by AFL executives Tanya Hosch, Laura Kane, and Brian Walsh, as well several GIANTS AFL and AFLW players, including GIANTS recruit Jake Stringer and proud Muslim AFLW player Haneen Zreika. 

Many notable speakers were part of two special panels on the night, with Laura Kane and Jake Stringer sharing the stage alongside proud Muslims Bachar Houli and Ahmed Saad. 

GIANTS star vice-captain Stephen Coniglio, a key advocate for inclusivity and youth engagement in Western Sydney, reflected on the significance of the event.  

“This is our community and this is what we’ve been trying to do since day one, is to create this vibe. For me there is no better event on our calendar than Iftar,” Coniglio said.  

“We are seeing it get more popular every year in terms of the numbers and having the event inside and still having people outside and not being able to fit everyone in is just incredible. To see the community as one, tonight, it’s one on the calendar we look forward to every year.  

“I’m still learning every time I come to an event like this and understanding the people that we represent and what they’re going through in the month of Ramadan, it’s super important. 

“The biggest thing for me is what can we learn from and reflect on. What can we learn from different religions and cultures.  

“All of our players feel it’s a club like no other and you get that sense tonight. As I said, it’s getting bigger and bigger every year and tonight really epitomises what we are trying to do in the community. 

“As AFL players we have such a platform and a pedestal at times and it’s about how can we use it in a positive way, and we really get a chance to do that here. It’s only a two-team town but particularly in Western Sydney there’s so many different cultures that are foreign to our  game and it's about how can we bring them closer to the game and our football club and have them maybe playing for us one day or simply in the stands or involved in AFL in the community.“ 

GIANTS Executive General Manager of Community and Inclusion, Ali Faraj, expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing success of the event. 
 
“It’s amazing to see the attendance growing year after year, and the spirit of community that’s evident is truly heartwarming,” Faraj said.   

“This event is a perfect opportunity for our players to deepen their understanding of the community they represent.” 
 
“It’s a beautiful moment where the club and the community unite to learn more about one another. Seeing the players interact with kids, try new foods, and engage with the community was fantastic. What is most special is that the event is inclusive, offering everyone a chance to experience Iftar and learn about different cultures.” 
 
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset, a time dedicated to spiritual reflection, prayer, acts of charity, and the study of the Quran. Iftar, the meal to break the fast, is an essential part of this sacred month.