The traditional Iftar dinner is a meal served by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan, immediately after sunset. It marks the end of the daily fast and begins with drinking water and usually dates, followed by prayer.
The head of the Muslim Cult in Romania, Mufti Muurat Iusuf. PHOTO Facebook
For the first time, the traditional festive Iftar Dinner of the Muslim Cult in Romania – held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Bucharest – took place in a space of the Romanian Orthodox Church, made available by the Romanian Patriarchate: the Family Cultural-Missionary Center.
“Tonight we are all witnesses of a historic event, which was possible with the blessing and continuous support of the Head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Father Patriarch Daniel, who hosted us here and made this location available to us with a meaning strong for the institution of the family – a pillar in the growth and education of a moral-spiritual society and promoter of authentic values.
I can testify with certainty that the relations of the Muftiate, especially with the Romanian Orthodox Church, but also with other religions, are an example of good coexistence for other religious communities within the European Union, the common interest being in the preservation of cultural-religious values and ancient traditions righteous people existing for ages, and in our case for centuries, on these lands blessed by God”, said Mufti Iusuf Muurat in his speech of thanks, the message sent to the community and the whole world.
Meaning of Iftar Dinner
At the Iftar Dinner, participants enjoy a lavish meal, often shared with family and friends. It is a moment of communion and gratitude, reflecting the spirit of generosity and hospitality. A variety of foods are consumed during Iftar, from traditional dishes specific to each culture to more modern dishes. It is a time dedicated not only to food, but also to prayer, reflection and community.
Ramadan in the year 2024 began on Monday, March 11, 2024, and ends on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, when the three days of celebration follow – Ramazan Bayram.
It is important to note that these dates are approximate and change from year to year, as the actual start of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the moon. Eid al-Fitr is the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
It will be a month of fasting and prayer, during which the Muslim faithful will not hydrate or feed themselves from dawn to sunset.
Fasting specific to the month of Ramazan is considered a means of purification, an exercise in self-control and a proof of faith. Specific to this period are also the ritual meals that open and close the fasting period over the day, namely the traditional Iftar dinner, served with family and friends, and Sahur, the meal served before dawn, in the family.
The message of the Head of the Muslim Cult in Romania, Mufti Muurat Iusuf
We reproduce the full message of the spiritual leader of the Muslim community at the festive Iftar Dinner, which takes place in Bucharest, with officials invited to learn about Islamic customs and traditions.
“Tonight we are all witnesses of a historic event, which was possible with the blessing and continuous support of the Head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Father Patriarch Daniel, who hosted us here and made this location available to us with a meaning strong for the institution of the family – a pillar in the growth and education of a moral-spiritual society and promoter of authentic values.
I can testify with certainty that the relations of the Muftiate, especially with the Romanian Orthodox Church, but also with other religions, are an example of good coexistence for other religious communities within the European Union, the common interest being in the preservation of cultural-religious values and ancient traditions righteous ones existing for ages, and in our case for centuries, on these lands blessed by God.
Of course, this activity would not have been possible without the open partnership we have with the Government of Romania through the State Secretariat for Religions, with Mr. Secretary of State Ciprian Olinici who is with us both in the framework of cultural-religious and educational projects, as well as in the process of preserving the interethnic and interreligious model in our country, being a reliable ally and a guarantor of religious freedom enshrined in the Constitution.
With the support of the Romanian Patriarchate and the SSC, we can develop in the future beneficial projects for our parishioners from all over the country in the educational, cultural and religious field, since the final beneficiary is the Romanian society, respectively our parishioners who live together in harmony and faith in God.
We are grateful to the Romanian state for the rights and freedoms granted to our Cult, but especially to the historical Turkish and Tatar minorities, who have continuously contributed to the multicultural treasure in our country, to the promotion of national units, to the development of relations with organizations and religious institutions at the international level.
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Both our parishioners and the institutions of the Romanian state can use these bridges created by us for the development of projects of common interest, on all levels. I think we can give as a beneficial example the friendly relationship that our Cult has maintained with the Republic of Turkey, which is fruitful in economic, cultural and security terms at the Black Sea.
As you well know, Romania has strong and numerous strategic partnerships with Western states and not only, which share the same democratic values as members of our community, devoid of racist or xenophobic manifestations.
In this context, I thank the heads of diplomatic missions in Romania who were with us whenever needed, in solving the problems of our parishioners and for giving us the opportunity to carry out cultural exchanges with Muslims from other countries. Although we are several peoples on this earth, we are all endowed with light, with the power to love our fellows, and to watch over the realization of the common good for the benefit of all, regardless of the language spoken.
We appreciate and are particularly grateful for the support that the Presidential Administration, the Government, the Parliament of Romania, the local public administrations have permanently given us and, last but not least, whenever it was needed, the support offered by our strategic partners. Without these institutional partnerships and collaborations at the national and international level, we cannot support the cultural values and principles that unite us, we cannot effectively promote Peace and we cannot ensure the observance of religious rights and freedoms.
In this Holy Month we pray for the Peace and well-being of Muslims around the world, of the Romanian people, as well as for the decision-makers of the state who act to prevent any threats to the well-being of Romania, especially now that we have a military conflict in our neighborhood.
As for me, I can guarantee you that I will continue to act to protect the Muslim community from any forms of extremism and actions aimed at dividing us.
I also want to assure the Romanian decision-makers of the loyalty of the members of our community to the Romanian state, a fact also demonstrated by our forefathers, in the two World Wars.
In this way, I want to thank for the good thoughts sent by the high officials who could not honor the invitation to this event for objective reasons, but they are certainly with us with their soul and good thoughts.
In conclusion, I pray to God to bless our country and the Romanian people, and I wish the Muslim believers a peaceful fast“, is the full message of the Head of the Muslim Cult in Romania, Mufti Iusuf Muurat.
