São Paulo – Certification company Cdial Halal brought together Brazilian political, business, and religious authorities this Wednesday (27), in the city of São Bernardo do Campo, state of São Paulo, for an Iftar, a break from the Ramadan fast. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy period, and the Iftar is a moment of celebration and unity. Representatives of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), including the organization’s president, diplomat Osmar Chohfi, participated in the celebration.
“Taking advantage of this moment to bring people together is fundamental for us Muslims. It is a time to celebrate life and thank Allah for all we are and have achieved. We are a community that came to flourish, prosper, and value the human being more. In Brazil, we are almost 1.5 million Muslims who brought wisdom, enthusiasm, and a powerful desire to work from their homeland. We are here to thrive and do good, to make the world better, more human,” said the CEO of Cdial Halal, Ali Saifi, at the Iftar, according to a release by the company.
The ABCC president spoke at the meeting about the importance of Brazil as a supplier to Arab and Islamic countries. “Most of these countries have their food security guaranteed by Brazilian exports,” he said. He recalled the Arab countries are important suppliers of fertilizers to Brazil. Chohfi also thanked the Saifi family, who own Cdial, for their work. “The Saifi family is a clear example of the success and contribution our community of Arab origin has brought to Brazil. The Arab community is a solid pillar of Brazilian society,” said Chohfi.
Each year, Ramadan takes place on different dates, depending on the Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar. During this period, the worship of Allah is strengthened with daily reflections, reading of the holy scriptures, and dedication to charity. Muslim people worldwide abstain from some activities during the period, including eating during the daylight hours. The followers of Islam in the world total 1.8 billion people.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
