As the holy month of Ramadan is drawing to a close, there is no stopping Iftar parties. In fact, the one being organised in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, promises to be a grand affair. LoudBeetle, an event management firm, which created history last year by organising Asia's 'longest' Iftar party on the banks of the scenic Dal Lake over a 1.6 kilometre stretch, would be hosting 5,000 guests during an Iftar party to be held on June 30 this year.
The organisers are claiming that this would be Kashmir Valley's largest Iftar party ever.
Iftar (the time of sunset when a Muslim is obligated to break the fast) is always supposed to be observed in a congregation. According to Islamic rulings, serving people food during Iftar is seen as a good deed and whoever contributes in helping people break fast earns the pleasure of the Almighty.
Ahmer Khan, the chief organiser of the event and a co-organiser of the Kashmir Ramadan food festival currently being held in Srinagar, is upbeat about the occasion and is inviting the participation of the Kashmiri youth as volunteers in this grand affair. The youngsters are eager to help too.
In the Valley, where the over two decade-long conflict had almost laid curtains on social gatherings, such public events are providing a new space for get-togethers. And there is no better time for people to bond with each other than over Iftar during Ramadan. The minority Sikh community in Kashmir is leading by example by serving fruits and beverages to Muslims in the Valley during Iftar.
