Community Iftars in Srinagar: Ramadhan brings people together in a heartwarming gesture of brotherhood

Srinagar, March 20: As the month of Ramadhan commences, Srinagar is witnessing a heartwarming gesture of community Iftar bringing families and friends together during the holy act of breaking fast.

Since Ramadhan started this month, Srinagarites, like every year, have been organising Iftars in masjids, on roads, and other public places across the city to feed those who are fasting throughout the day.

The major Iftar gatherings have been organised in the masjids.

“Every year, we organise Iftar for our community. There cannot be anything better than feeding people in the holy month of Ramadhan. Everyone contributes to ensure that we arrange food for Iftar for those who visit our masjid,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a volunteer from Malik Jalalud Din (RA) Masjid Gojwara.

Local volunteers said that in addition to preparing Iftar at the masjid, they also distribute food items to people on the roadside.

“Everyone contributes so that we can give some basic Iftar items like dates, water and fruits,” said another volunteer.

In Srinagar, many masjids organise major community Iftars for hundreds of people.

Masjid Bilal, located on the banks of river Jhelum in Lal Chowk, is one masjid that organises a mega Iftar on a daily basis in the month of Ramadhan.

The organisers of the masjid said that on a daily basis, six to eight hundred people come to join the community Iftar.

“This has been going on for years, but for the past few years, the process has become more streamlined. We work throughout the day to ensure that everything is ready by Iftar,” said an organiser.

The masjid , being in the heart of business hub, serves people across Kashmir who are visiting the city for various reasons.

“Whenever I happen to be around Lal Chowk during Iftar time, I come here to join. Many people who travel across districts and cannot reach home on time make a stop here and have an Iftar and also offer prayers before leaving for home. I have had Iftar here countless times in the past few years,” said Abdul Rashid, a resident of Pampore.

For the past few weeks, many members of the Sikh community have been seen distributing food for Iftar in Srinagar. Locals said that the holy month gives one more reason to be kinder to each other and strengthen communal harmony and peace in Kashmir.