Social iftars have made a comeback with some good Samaritans or groups offering iftar kits containing sumptuous meals in many parts of the country.
These community iftars are aimed at helping the believers break the day-long fast that strengthens the community bond.
"I am a bachelor living in Wattayah and I was a bit worried when my friends told me that there wouldn't be any mass iftars this year. I fast everyday and this tent is a great relief for me and my friends," said Hussain, an expatriate who was seen at the huge tent, sponsored by the Malabar Gold group, built to distribute iftar meals in Ruwi.
These tents are a great relief to everyone, including the passers-by, as they aim to satisfy the believers' commitment to God as well as share food and water with travellers who find it difficult to get a proper place for iftar.
"I am a bachelor and my family is away from Muscat for familial reasons. For people like me, this (the tent in Ruwi) is a great boon as we don't have to sweat in the kitchen making iftar meals," Mohammed Iqbal, a man living in the country for the past 35 years, told the Observer.
People gather for mass iftars and suhoor that reinstate bonhomie and camaraderie among people from different backgrounds but united with just one purpose, that is to fast and gain Allah Almighty's blessings, around the tent by 4.30pm waiting for the next two hours to break fast. A large number of labourers are seen lining themselves up for their turn to get into the tent and break their fast as the prayer call sounds from the nearby Sultan Qaboos Mosque.
In Oman, social gatherings very frequently happen as part of iftar. Traditional dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, particularly those made only during Ramadhan and international iftars are a key feature during the month.
"This is a part of our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and we keep a portion of the charity works for such initiatives that support the society year. We are glad that our iftar tent in Ruwi has been well received and became a stop for those who are in need," said Najeeb, Regional Head of Malabar Gold. He said that this tent in downtown Ruwi caters to nearly 650 people everyday.
Similar food distribution moves have been seen in other parts of the city though in a smaller way, notwithstanding the initiatives of individuals within and from outside the capital area, but have been aiming to cater to the people who are on the move.
"I distribute food to nearly 100 people who are seen on the road and I don't check if they are fasting or not because for a Muslim, giving is most important and not someone's identity," says Ahmed Vakil, an Omani national who distributes foods from his pickup vehicle everyday in Wadi Kabir.
Rightly as he said, giving in Islam is of great importance and it is one of the foundations of Islam. Sadaqa, as it is called, is charity given voluntarily to please God. Sadaqa also describes a voluntary charitable act towards others, whether through generosity, love, compassion or faith and can be done throughout the year and is not mandatory. However, 'Zakah' is something that one must give and is calculated upon his possessions, gold, farm, crop, etc.
The acts are not necessarily physical or monetary. Simple good deeds such as a smile, or a helping hand, are seen as acts of sadaqah and can be given to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
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