Iftar dinner brings community together with business and government officials during Ramadan
Political and community leaders shared their views about the importance of sharing and unity, especially for those in need, at the friendship and dialogue dinner hosted at the Nizamiye Mosque Complex.
The Turquoise Harmony Institute hosted a friendship and dialogue Iftar dinner at the Nizamiye Mosque Complex on March 12.
The dinner brought the community together with political and business leaders to share insights about the values of Ramadan and the importance of unity and diversity.
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Ramadan is an important time for the Muslim community. The month is dedicated to fasting, spiritual reflection, and community gatherings, while Iftar is the evening meal, where Muslims break their fast during the month of Ramadan.
With this being the second friendship and dialogue dinner, the purpose is always to have different cultures, religions, and government officials come together to appreciate one another, which is not something that is very common in everyday interaction.
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The event began with guests arriving and socialising with one another, followed by a recitation of the Quran to usher in the intention of the evening. Guest speaker, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council, and Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille said it is important to live by the theme of friendship and dialogue.
“Tonight’s event is on the theme of friendship and dialogue. I really think it is so important in our world to have that, and I do think South Africa is one of the countries that is getting that right.
So, it is a pleasure and a privilege to be here. Another theme that I think is important, that we are celebrating today, is unity and diversity, which is something our country is very big on.”
Member of Parliament, and leader of Al Jama-ah Party, Imraan Moosa also honoured the invite to the event.
“These events bring unity and diversity. They also give us the opportunity to understand each other and our beliefs, and to provide the spiritual understanding of fasting and what Ramadan means to Muslims, in particular. At the same time, communities are brought together, which builds our nation.”
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Thandi Moraka was also in attendance.
“I think we need to come in, as the government of South Africa, and thank the Nizamiye Foundation for reaching out to our communities with the educational programmes and feeding schemes, especially in townships such as Soweto and Tembisa.”
The even ended in prayer and fellowship, as well as a demonstration of Ebru art, a traditional Turkish artform combining various colourful patterns.
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