UAE gurdwara holds Iftar for all faiths

Dubai, June 16 

In a heart-warming gesture, a gurdwara here, the largest in the Gulf, organised Iftar where people of different religions and over 30 nationalities broke the Muslim fast together.

To demonstrate the spirit of tolerance and giving, Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, hosted 120 residents of over 30 nationalities to celebrate the holy month of Ramazan and support the Muslim community in breaking their fast in a multicultural setting.

As the call to maghreb (evening) prayers rang inside the gurdwara, Muslims broke their fast over water, dates and Indian dishes. Later, they offered prayers inside the gurdwara premises in Jebel Ali. Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman, Guru Nanak Darbar, was quoted as saying by the Khaleej Times that the Iftar was to bring people together in the face of adversity.

“In a world that struggles with extremism, the best way out is through creating friendships among different faiths and nationalities. It is only through communication that we can overcome adversities,” said Kandhari, noting that guests varied from Arabs, Ethiopians, Mexicans to Americans and Serbians.

Indian Consul General in Dubai Vipul said the gurdwara was doing a great service by getting all communities and religions together. He cited the example of the gurdwara achieving a Guinness World Record by hosting breakfast for 101 nationalities in April.

“I see today’s Iftar also as a step in that direction,” he was quoted as saying by Gulf News. A regular visitor at the gurdwara, Mitchell Peeters from Belgium, said as a Christian, having Iftar in a Sikh temple made the experience in the UAE more special.

"It is a nice experience to enjoy happiness and friendliness of people around you from different faiths and nationalities. It is part of the charm of living in Dubai and adjusting to local customs," said Peeters, a UAE resident for four years.

The gurdwara serves free meals to visitors everyday and food packs in labour camps each weekend. — PTI