AT IFTAR EVERYONE IS WELCOME

IFTAR – this is the name of the evening meal, after sunset, which the Muslims take during Ramadan. Usually at this table gather family members and their friends and serve together traditional food, depending on the country or region were they are. 

On this occasion, on Saturday, 20 August, the team from the nongovernmental organization Charity Center for Refugees (CCR) organized a meal with various dishes prepared by the originals from various Muslims states.

Although the organizers were expecting that the IFTAR will be attended by almost 30 persons, the interest was shown by a much bigger number and should be mentioned that among those who tried the food were representatives of other confessions.   

Mr. Peter Kessler, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Moldova (UNHCR), who attend the IFTAR, with his wife, who has a rich activity experience in many Muslims states, she had reasons to compare and showed herself delighted by the inventive beneficiaries of UNHCR, regarding the variety of dishes, and the friendship shown to all guests.

Among others Mr. Kessler thanked the organizers for the successful IFTAR and for the invitation where we taste with pleasure the delicious meal, prepared by the women and men among the refugees and asylum seekers. For me the evening was twice pleasant, because the dishes were served in a pleasant and agreeable atmosphere both by Muslims, and persons who share different confessions. In the next 10 days of Ramadan before the Eid al Fitr, I wish to all Muslims refugees a period of joy and reflection – mentioned Kessler.

Mrs. Ecaterina Silvestru, the Head of the Refugee Department, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Migration and Asylum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, congratulated all the Muslims with this occasion and expressed her satisfaction about the fact that they don’t forget their traditions, but also for the refugees opening on the values of the asylum statute; their interest to study Romanian language, knowledge of the Constitution, History and Traditions of the local people.

Mr. Djavid Paknehad, CCR President, confided I wasn’t expecting this number of people at IFTAR – almost 60 persons, that’s why for a moment I was nervous, but my joy was that the dishes prepared was taste with delight, even more – some dishes have been distributed to some refugees to be consumed at home with other members of their families. But in fact, at IFTAR everyone is welcome – here no one can be in addition.

The evening was filled with few cultural – entertain, including organization of a mini winning lottery.

Lari Nadejda,
Studentă-jurnalistă,ULIM