Inter-faith gathering unites ahead of Eid

THE holy month of Ramadan comes to an end this week and believers of both Muslim and Christian faith came together this past weekend and celebrated with an inter-faith iftar.

During the period of Ramadan, those who keep fasts have to eat the first meal of the day, known as sehri (suhoor) before the sunrise. They have to then break their fasts with the last meal of the day, known as iftar after the sunset.

Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).

It is also believed in the Islamic faith that fasting helps instill compassion for the food-insecure poor.

The period of fasting requires observers to abstain from eating or drinking during the hours of daylight, even water should not be consumed during the fast.

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The Denis Hurley Centre hosted members of Islamic faith and of Christian faith to commemorate the ending of the holy month of Ramadan, due to end tomorrow on Eid, for an inter-faith celebration.

According to Raymond Perrier, director at the Denis Hurley Centre, the inter-faith gathering has become an annual observance, “As has become our tradition, in the last week of Ramadan we joined with Muslim organisations to host an inter-faith iftar. We were graced with the presence of Dr AV Mahomed from the Jumma Masjid, one of our patrons, and also staff from Islamic Propagation Centre International (IPCI) who host tours of the mosque for visiting groups.”

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 “We gathered outside in Paddy Lane and, as we heard the call to prayer from the muezzin next door, we enjoyed dates, the traditional way of breaking the fast. Mats were unrolled outside for the prayers and then a small but lively group of Muslims and Hindus, Catholics and Protestants joined to share some delicious food and brightly coloured drinks,” he said.

Uniquely this year Ramadan coincided with Holy Week and Passover, as well as Tamil New Year, and so it was a chance for people from different faiths to reflect.

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