Iftar for ladies on the occasion of Ramadan 1428

Bratislava, 06/10/2007

Islamweb.sk

Car after car stopped and parked in front of the hotel Aston Business in Bratislava on Saturday evening of the 6 October. They brought many smiling ladies. Some were dressed formally, other in traditional Arabic clothes. Some of them were young, but there were older women as well. Each and every of them came here with the same aim – to enjoy their mutual presence and to end the abstaining from food and drink for that day (Muslims use to fast from the dawn to the dusk and fasting is one of the pillars of the Islamic faith).

On the occasion of Ramadan the Islamic Foundation in Slovakia prepared a special dinner for them. The initial greeting was followed by breaking the fast with a glass of cold milk and sweet dates from Saudi Arabia. Then many Muslim women from all parts of world faced Mecca and devout reciting of surah Al-Fatiha and other surahs from the Noble Quran filled heart of the gathering with peace and happiness: peace, because they could stand in prayer as friends and happiness, because they could spend another day of Ramadan in peace and harmony. Supplications or du’a for all Muslims and the world without wars and hunger were included in the prayer, too.

There was a short speech on the behalf of the Islamic foundation in Slovakia while the hot vegetable soup was being served. The main course included salmon, sauce and a side dish. Friendly chatting among the present ladies helped to create a pleasant atmosphere. A great variety of languages could be heard: Slovak, Albanian, Arabic and English. During the introduction it became apparent that women came from different parts of the world: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Iraq and the converts from Slovakia, but also experts on Islam and Arabic countries, journalists, managers, etc. This amazing mass of nationalities and professions once again showed the tolerance and large variety in Islam.

Friendly discussions went on while the dessert, every woman’s favorite – chocolate cake, was served, as well as hot tea and coffee. The time was running fast and it was already a late evening, when ladies took some photographs, bid goodbye and they were off to their homes, where husbands and children eagerly waited for them.

So, see you next year!