Hachette UK’s Muslim Employee Network hosts cross-industry Iftar to celebrate Ramadan

26 March 2025 – In celebration of Ramadan, Hachette UK’s Muslim Employee Network hosted its fifth annual Iftar on 20 March 2025. The evening was a cross-industry event as part of the network’s aim to build a welcoming environment for publishing professionals across the sector, and as part of the network’s commitment to ‘Changing the Story’.

The event was held on the rooftop of Hachette UK’s London office, and over 60 people across Hachette UK, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Bonnier, Macmillan and other publishers joined the Iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims to break their fast after sunset every day during Ramadan. The Muslim Employee Network, created to support and represent Hachette UK employees of any religion, encouraged attendees to connect, share stories, and foster a community of support within the industry. As well as sharing a meal catered by a Muslim-owned business, the network also gifted attendees a range of books written by Muslim authors published by Hachette UK.

Iman Khakoo and Nazima Abdillahi, co-chairs of the Hachette UK Muslim Employee Network, said: “We were delighted and honoured to host Hachette UK’s fifth annual Iftar event this year. For us, Ramadan has always meant a time of faith, reflection and coming together as a community. With the world constantly moving around us, it’s a chance to pause and reconsider our place and purpose.

This year at the Iftar, we enjoyed bringing together publishing professionals from across the industry and of all faiths and backgrounds to discover books written by Muslim authors, eat delicious food and enjoy conversation with colleagues and friends – old and new. We are so glad that the Iftar has become such a valued annual tradition for many in the wider publishing industry, and we look forward to seeing how it evolves in the years to come.”

Carrie Bloxson, SVP Culture and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Hachette UK and Hachette Book Group, said: “It was such a pleasure to attend our Muslim Employee Network cross-industry Employees’ Iftar this year. I wanted to extend a huge thank you to the network for organising such a welcoming space for people of all faiths to come together and celebrate during the holy month of Ramadan. Our networks continually embrace and champion Changing the Story and events such as these are a vital part of fostering belonging and understanding within our industry – I can’t wait to attend again next year.”

More information on any future events organised by Hachette UK’s Muslim Employee Network can be found on the network’s X and Instagram accounts, @HachetteMuslims.