São Paulo – Religious and non-religious leaders of the Arab community gathered this Monday (4) evening for the Iftar at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo. Iftar is the name of the group meal that Muslims take at sunset during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month in which believers fast during the day.
The event was organized by the Arab Chamber and was attended representatives of mosques, of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, of the diplomacy sector and of Arab and Muslim organizations in Brazil.
“The Arab Chamber feels extremely honored to gather everyone on this important date, in this celebration that touches us all as Arab-Brazilians”, Arab Chamber president Rubens Hannun told the audience, highlighting the interaction in Brazil between the different peoples and religions and the meeting at the Chamber as a symbol of this.
The dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors and Palestine’s ambassador in Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben underscored the date’s symbolism. “That this celebration of unity is always repeated, here in São Paulo and in different parts of Brazil, especially in these critical moment we’re facing,” said Alzeben. The dean reminded that 12 million Arabs and descendants live in Brazil, among Christians and Muslims.
Brazil Mosque sheik Mohammed Al-Moghrabi highlighted the presence of Christians at Iftar. “Whenever I look at these faces, I remember the faces of all Christians and how we celebrate with them the birth of Jesus Christ and how they celebrate with us the Ramadan, the holy month,” said Moghrabi. The sheik said that Ramadan is the month to think of the brother that is close and the one that is far away.
The religious leader of the Islamic Center of Brazil, sheik Taleb Khazraji, pointed out that the fast is a habit of worship to God that followers of all religions practice. He said that fasting was practiced before the time of Prophet Mohammed and that Islam’s own message is a continuation of previous divine messages.
“Know that the luck of people is different this month (Ramadan). The closer the person is from God, the more they will benefit,” said Khazraji. The religious leader said that the Prophet Mohammed addressed the people as a whole. “A month of God is about to arrive to all of you, with lots of blessings and mercy. This month has the best days, the best nights, its hours are the best hours,” said Khazraji, paraphrasing the Prophet.
The two sheiks, Khazraji and Moghrabi, spoke fondly about Palestine, in the presence of the country’s ambassador in Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben. “Palestine is in our hearts, in our minds, the Palestinian people have all of our feelings and respect,” said sheik Moghrabi.
In 2018, Ramadan began on May 16 and will end at June 14. The date varies according to the beginning of the new moon. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. They refrain from food, beverages, tobacco and sexual relations. It’s a month of prayer, religious thought, devotion and charity.
Since Muslims fast the entire day, meals are usually served after sunset. The Iftar at the Arab Chamber was served around 5:30 and included Arab recipes, such as dates, kibbeh, rice with lamb, rice with lentils, stuffed grape leaves, fattoush and hummus. Nearly 40 people attended the event and were welcomed by members of the Arab Chamber’s board of directors.
Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
