Islam teaches unity and equality not just in words but in action and the social iftars happening all over the country is an epitome of such cordiality and conviviality of the religion. It is a manifestation of bonhomie of the people following the belief and their determination to show their brethren from other beliefs about what the religion teaches and why these social gatherings do mean in the modern society.
The mosques and numerous Ramadhan iftar tents seen across the cities since the beginning of the holy month is a testimony to an age-old Arab tradition of social get together that reinforces the virtue of collectiveness and the need of unity.
Public iftar gatherings, a common feature among Muslim communities across the world, offer a meeting place for people from different communities and nationalities on one platform. This goes a long way in generating goodwill in society while offering people to understand each other better and build bonds of brotherhood.
The main goal of such iftars is to seek the pleasure of the Almighty by way of serving people and displaying respect for their fast. Islam brings people together and provides such social occasions to create bonds of unity, brotherhood, and co-operation among members of the society.
People from across the planet living in the Sultanate of Oman come together, arrange for the iftar, sit in rows with just one thought in mind- the mercy of Almighty Allah and his blessings during the holy month of Ramadhan.
One of the largest mass iftars organised by the Hyderabadi community living in the country is happening on May 25, at Clock Tower, Ruwi.
The annual community Iftar is being organised under the umbrella of the newly formed Deccani Wing of the Indian Social Club which represents the large Hyderabadi community in Oman.
All the fasting Muslims will gather to break the fast at the fixed time as the iftar will be followed by the Maghreb prayer. Arrangements are also in place for women and children, who are again expected to be a large part of the gathering like on earlier occasions.
“The tradition of organising Hyderabadi community Iftar was started 16 years ago by Dr Mohammed Abdul Mohi. A huge number of people turned out in the first Hyderabadi iftar in 2002 and since then it’s a much-awaited event and this year arrangements have been made to serve around 3000 rozedars”, a representative of the Hyderabadi community iftar said.
Similarly, hundreds of people are fed for free at the Muttrah Souq every day at iftar. They welcome people from a cross-section of the society and feed them with delicious iftari meal every day.
“This (feeding people at iftar time) has been a practice for more than two decades and every single individual- both employers and employees pool in and make it big every day”, organisers of the event said.
These social gatherings over iftar are, no doubt, a tool to reinvigorate a sense of unity and belongingness among people of different beliefs, diverse ethnic backgrounds and other differences. It is the feeling of hunger and camaraderie that is shared at these social gatherings.
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