During Ramadan in 2009, Affinity coordinates iftar dinner's for non-Muslim's in Muslim homes around Sydney
One of the greatest concerns we face is that of ignorance and people's fear of the unknown. To counter this, we hold many projects and but one of the best is the annual Home Iftar Dinner's during the Islamic month of Ramadan.
This important annual program gives the opportunity for people to enter the homes of Muslims during the month of Ramadan and to share in the Iftar Dinner with a Muslim family. Furthermore, it gives all those who attend the opportunity to socialise and learn from the personal experience of the other. This we feel, is a great way to overcome the misunderstandings and fear that exists in the community and plays an important role in Muslims overcoming the isolation that is sometimes felt. It also provides a role model for other communities to be pro-active in the process of social inclusion.
This year we held a number of Home Iftar's. We had many non-Muslim guests from Politicians to Catholic Bishop's to Police to Jewish leaders to resident's from local areas attending these Iftar's. At each Iftar, apart from the hosts, a Muslim couple also attended.
The feedback from all participants was very positive. Some of our guests seemed to enjoy it so much that they stayed until very late hours in the evening.
Some of the feedback from the Home iftar's are as follows:
"A week has passed since we spent a very enjoyable evening with the Oueik family. Would you please pass on our very belated thanks for their generosity?" - Helen
"We would like to thank the hosts very much for their great hospitality and wonderful food."
Overall, these Home iftar's were a great success in integrating Muslim's to the wider Australian society.
