Sizzling meats, sunflower seeds and sticky baklava will be on the menu at the fifth annual street iftar this weekend at Meadow Heights mosque.
But on a normal Ramadan night, it’s the taste of a single date that fasting Muslims savour.
Iftar means to “break fast” and is an intrinsic part of the 30 days of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship.
The act of daily, dawn to dusk fasting, now being practised around the world, is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul, encourage self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice and empathy for those less fortunate, giving rise to actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).
Two Islamic youth groups, Sareera and Australian Islamic Social Association (AISA) Youth, have joined forces to organise this Saturday’s street iftar.
Sareera’s university group secretary Bahar Acahan says everyone in the community is invited. “There will be Turkish food, stalls and led discussions on faith,” Ms Acahan says. “Some ladies will sell jewellery and scarves. There will also be a group prayer that we all do together.”
Group president Nursen Turker says fasting has taught her many things. “When you break the fast, you are holding the date in your hand, counting down the minutes,” Ms Turker says.
“You always think you can eat more than you can because you are so hungry, but when you finally eat you realise you don’t need that much food and you could fast for another eight hours.
“It teaches you to really appreciate your food and savour it. It’s indescribable. You become so appreciative of what you have, especially when you think of people on the other side of the world who don’t have a choice about fasting.”
Ms Turker says Muslims really look forward to the month of Ramadan. “You make the effort to be home on time to eat dinner with your family, so it brings everyone together.”
Last year’s street iftar catered for about 1500 people and the group hopes to attract even more this weekend. The iftar starts at 4pm on Saturday at Meadow Heights Mosque, 15/17 Hudson Circuit, Meadow Heights.
