Breaking fast and building bridges
A time for sharing: A bird’s eye view of the gathering on the Town Hall lawn. Pix by Amila Gamage
As the evening shadows lengthened against the stately backdrop of the Town Hall building adorned in colourful lanterns evocative of Vesak celebrations the weekend before, around 2000 people from all walks of life gathered together on the lawn on Saturday May 25. They had come to break fast together at sunset as one Sri Lanka.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Muslim Society in collaboration with Soup Kitchen Sri Lanka ‘Break fast at Sunset’ for many was a significant step forward to restoring society to what it once was and reaching out to communities fractured by the horror of the Easter Sunday attacks.
Muslims, during the month of Ramadan observe a period of fasting in which they do not consume food or water from dawn till sunset. It is a holy month where they strive to purify themselves. At sunset, families gather to have a meal and break their fast, and it was this, very intimate personal moment,that was shared with different communities last Saturday.
From those in their thobes and hijabs, others garbed in casual t’shirt and jeans, from men from the forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Special Task Force) in their uniforms; from the sun-kissed faces of children, it was a picture of togetherness as they all sat down to share a meal.
The event began as the crowds found themselves a place on the rows of green tarpulin spread across the lawn. The national anthem was sung to start off the proceedings signifying a united Sri Lanka, those in the Forces saluting the national flag as they sang. Both religious leaders and civil society leaders then addressed the gathering.
Four young girls, Rachel Cramer, Sinali Peiris, Sanaathanie Anthiththan and Hajarah Rahman who represented the four different religions of the land- addressed the gathering in either English, Tamil or Sinhala sharing their thoughts. They spoke as one as they ended stating their name, ethnicity and with a poignant statement — “Together we make Sri Lanka.”
There was also a moment of silence to remember the lives lost.
Behind the Ifthar: The joint organisers from the Sri Lanka Muslim Society and the Soup Kitchen
As the clock struck 6.21 p.m. a beautiful recitation of the adhan (the Islamic call for prayer) was called out by an Imam present signalling the time for prayer. Taking cues from their Muslim neighbours, everyone present broke fast together. It was an evening of new friendships and old, rebuilding bridges and creating new bonds.
Shanuki De Alwis had received invitations from eight different people to attend the iftar. Having always been curious as to what happens at an iftar, Shanuki was pleased that she was able to attend and experience an iftar for the first time.
“I met a lot of people I know and I also made new connections with people. There was a lady who I met there and she taught me about the significance of fasting…I may have not been as spiritually engaged as the Muslims there but it was so lovely.It was so nice to be part of this, that we were able to enjoy ourselves with good company despite the current climate of the country.”
The Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society (SLMC) is barely a month old as it was formed following the Easter attacks on April 21. The SLMC is an umbrella organisation bringing together the various Islamic associations and movements in Sri Lanka.
“Easily in the last 10 years there has been work going on to recalibrate the Muslim community within the country, it is a realisation which has been there but the sense of urgency after the 21st was what started off everything,” an SLMC member told the Sunday Times.
The SLMC was instrumental in spearheading many events including a ‘Solidarity Vigil’ on May 4, providing medical equipment to hospitals, visiting the affected areas of Kurunegala and Kelaniya, and much more.
Soup Kitchen having had a ‘street iftar’ last year had wanted to have an event this year but was hesitant due to the prevailing situation in the country. However realising that the country desperately needed to come together as one, and build connections once again, Break fast at Sunset was organised in the course of a week.
“The Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society which organised the event, is an umbrella organisation with many groups coming under them. We, Soup Kitchen Sri Lanka, collaborated (with them) as we have had experience organising events of this nature,” shared one of the core members of the Soup Kitchen.
The Soup Kitchen has been helping those in need since February 2015. From small-scale food donations to bigger projects such as health camps and providing eye surgery for the underprivileged, their goal is ‘to feed the destitute and see that they are cared for.’ They have travelled far and wide around Sri Lanka to ensure that they can provide those in need some semblance of comfort.
The Soup Kitchen is working towards a community centre where those who are on the street, whenever they need it, would have a meal. Another long-term goal is a skills-building programme which will support the homeless to find jobs and help their future generations.
For all those who attended, the ‘Break Fast at Sunset’ was a shining example of the power of unity amidst diversity.