Basil hosts annual Iftar dinner at Gampaha office

Friday, 9 August 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Earlier this week, Basil Rajapaksa hosted his annual Iftar dinner as Economic Development Minister in the Gampaha Oruthota office. The Iftar is the meal that breaks the day of fasting during Ramadan, when Muslim families and communities eat together after sunset. Ramadan is one of the holy months in the Islamic calendar during which pious Muslims all over the world fast from early morning to dusk. It is one of the five obligations of Islam.

During his remarks at the dinner, Minister Basil Rajapaksa reflected on the importance of religious freedom and the important role Muslims have played throughout the country’s history. The Minister sat down together with Islamic religious dignitaries and scholars who had arrived from many parts of the country to break fast, in keeping with traditional customs. The Minister’s initiative in organising such a religious gathering with the presence of invitees from different cultural and religious backgrounds came under praise from all those present. Special prayers and sermons were conducted to invoke blessings on the nation. The evening ‘Magrib’ prayer was also conducted soon after the Iftar ceremony. Muslims will celebrate ‘Eid Ul Fitr’, the Ramadan festival with the sighting of the new moon in the course of this week. Members of the Jamiyathul Ulama, Senior Minister AHM Fowzie, Deputy Minister Dulip Wijesekara, Government officials, professionals, community and political leaders were also present at the occasion.