One more mass iftar before Ramadaan comes to an end
|Published
More than 200 people joined the Muslim community for one more mass iftar before the closure of the blessed month of Ramadaan. People across denominations enjoyed the dinner at Makers Landing, at the V&A Waterfront. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency
Cape Town - Over 200 people of the Muslim faith and others gathered for one more mass iftar (fast-breaking meal), as Muslims solemnly prepare to bid farewell to the holy month of Ramadaan.
Since the start of the holy month, there has been an increase in mass street and community iftars fostering a sense of community and closeness, and increased charity and prayer.
Hundreds of people from across religions and denominations gathered to break fast collectively at Makers Landing, V&A Waterfront, yesterday. The iftar highlighted the impressive work done by non-profit organisation Penny Appeal South Africa.
Its CEO, Shahnaaz Paruk, said: “When we heard about the initiative being focused on bringing people around for a common cause, we were ecstatic about it because it feeds right into our vision of diversity and inclusion.”
As per tradition, the Crescent Observer’s Society (“Maankykers”) will gather at Three Anchor Bay this evening in an attempt to sight the new moon, signalling the end of Ramadaan and start of Eid-ul Fitr festivities.
There are predominantly two primary Muslim festivals or celebrations, Eid (feast/celebration) al-Fitr or Eid al-Adghah. According to the Muslim Judicial Council website, the Crescent Observer’s Society members are experienced maankykers who have developed close working relationships with the South African Astronomical Society, and are therefore nationally and internationally recognised.
Chairperson Shaykh Safwaan Sasman said even though the new moon had been born on 28th day of Ramadaan – at 6am yesterday – the maankykers would only be going out for the moon sighting this evening.
“The sighting for any month, not only for Ramadaan but for any month of the Islamic year, the sighting takes place on the 29th day of that particular month, so the sighting will therefore take place on Friday.”
Former chairperson Yusuf Pandy has been sighting the moon for more than 50 years in Cape Town. Pandy said in spite of technologies such as telescopes and binoculars, the maankykers do it “according to the way the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had done”, and advised on how to do it, with the naked eye.
“But we get our news some time before from Johannesburg, Durban and PE (Gqeberha), and they will notify us first to say if they have sighted the moon. Because we have the United Ulama Council, they’ll notify me to say they have sighted the moon. If it’s overcast here, and we can’t see it, I’ll show them we accept that moon and we’ll declare it among our Ulema.”
The day of Eid is spent in collective early morning prayer at the mosque, wearing one’s best clothing, eating traditional meals and sweet treats, visiting family and friends, as well as treating young children to treats and money.