Extremists and right-wing commentators are up in arms about King Charles after a Ramadan Iftar event was held at Windsor Castle — which was enough for extremists on social media to accuse the King of converting to Islam.
Nearly 400 Muslim guests gathered in St George’s Hall on Sunday to break their fast. Ramadan Tent Project organised the event, a UK Charity that coordinates multiple open Iftar events throughout the holy month.
The social media account Christian Concern posted a video on social media of the adhan being held at the royal residence, which attracted numerous critical comments.
Meanwhile, several right-wing media outlets breathlessly accused King Charles of ‘pandering’ to Muslims and Islam.
Critics question the outrage, noting that as head of state in a country with a significant Muslim population and the Commonwealth—which is home to approximately 700 million Muslims—King Charles’s gesture just reflects his role.
Despite the predictable vitriol from xenophiles and racists — with some even accusing King Charles of being a Muslim — many more celebrated the event on social media.
The Iftar comes after King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepared dates for charity donations and met with members of the Muslim community ahead of the holy month.
King Charles’ admiration for Islam and Muslims
King Charles III’s fascination with Islam and Muslims is well known — he made several positive speeches about the religion over the past three decades as Prince of Wales.
A book released in 2018 suggests that the King’s views and beliefs are similar to many in the Muslim community. ‘Charles At Seventy: Thoughts, Hopes and Dreams’ mentions how he studies the Quran and thinks Christianity can learn from Islam. On the political front, the book says he is sympathetic to Palestinians, opposed the war in Iraq and disagrees with the ban on burqas in Europe.
The former prince has shown a public interest in different faiths. In 2015, he said he would keep the monarch’s traditional title as “Defender of the Faith” but saw himself as the protector of all faiths.
During his first speech as King, he re-emphasised that point: “Whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love,” he said.
In the UK, the King plays an active role with the Muslim community. He set up Mosaic in 2008, an organisation that provides mentoring for the young and disadvantaged in the Muslim community.
He is patron of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, founded in 1985 and his first major address on Islam was at the Sheldonian Theatre for the Centre for Islamic Studies in 1993.
