Community iftars in Srinagar strengthen bond of brotherhood

Srinagar, Mar 30: The holy month of Ramadhan witnessed a heartwarming gesture of community Iftars bringing people together during the breaking of fast.

Srinagarites have been organising community Iftars in masjids, on roads, and other public places across the city to feed those fasting throughout the day. This year, major Iftar gatherings were organised in masjids.

“Every year, we organise Iftar for our community. There cannot be nothing 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 Malik Jalalud Din (RA) Masjid Gojwara volunteer.

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 of the masjids that organises a mega Iftar on a daily basis in in Ramadhan.

The organisers of the masjid said that on a daily basis, around 800 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 a business hub, serves people across Kashmir who are visiting the city for various purposes.

“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.

Many people organise iftar for patients and attendants in city hospitals. “Besides breaking the fast, the community iftars strengthen the bond of brotherhood and give sense of belonging,” said Suhail Ahmad.