PESHAWAR
\nArranging food cuisines, beverages and sweets at Iftar Dastarkhwan, Riazul Haq (60), a former school teacher of Nowshera district is all smile while following the rich legacy of his father, who organized such parties for fellow villagers in every Ramazan which brought them closer besides strengthen bonds of brotherhood and mutual coexistence.
\nExudes with bonds of sharing and empathy, Riaz arranges Iftar Dastarkhwan for underprivileged at his home village Mohib Banda from Ist Ramazan to Chand Raat in memory of his late father Mazharul Haq, who passed away of pancreas cancer few years ago.
\n\u201cIn line with my father\u2019s will, I arrange Iftar Dastarkhwan for poor, orphans and marginalized ones since 2012 at Taray mosque where Rozdars are being served with various food cuisines including dates, rice, pakora, dahi bhallay, jaleebi and beverages, thus seeking mercy and forgiveness for departed soul of my Baba Jan,\u201d he told APP.
\nThe soothing moments of sharing iftaar\u2019s items including dates, pakora, jalebi, kachalo and others dishes is still alive as fresh as today when I keenly observed my late father handing over packets of food to people while coming to the mosque for Magrib prayer.\u201d
\n\u201cThere is no better joy for a Muslim but to include poor and orphans in Iftar\u2019s celebrations. I feel inner peace, and satisfaction while doing this noble practice in all 30 days of this holy month,\u201d he said, adding \u201cbreaking fast together bring people of all faiths closer and strengthens bonds for life.\u201d
\nStrongly believing in interfaith-harmony, compassion and brotherhood, Riaz said distribution of food in Ramazan was a mark of respect and admiration for our fellow fasting Muslims\u2019 brothers that doubled our happiness.
\n\u201cIftar Dastarkhwan is open to everyone irrespective of their work profile, social status, caste, creed and religion,\u201d he said, adding in today\u2019s busy life, \u201cwe hardly get time to be with our neigbours, villagers and childhood friends. It\u2019s the holy month of Ramzan that brings us together not just as a family and friends but as neighbourhood on Aftar Dastarkhwans,\u201d he said.
\nAbdul Ghafoor, former Director, Sheikh Zayd Islamic Centre Peshawar said that Iftar parties strengthen bonds of friendship, love and promote interfaith harmony immensely.
\n\u201cRamadan is a blessed holy month in which Allah Almighty showers His infinite mercy and immense blessings on the Muslims whom tries hard to bring closer to Him seeking forgiveness besides maximizing their rewards.\u201d
\n\u201cWe can\u2019t come closer to each other and develop a tolerant society unless we all enjoy equal rights and respect each other\u2019s beliefs irrespective of caste, colour and languages,\u201d said noted religious scholar Maulana Tila Muhammad Siddique.
\nHe said all prophets and founders of all religions had promoted peace, forgiveness, patience, love and tolerance through their teachings, actions and deeds. \u201cRamazan is the month of Sabr (patience) and Allah Almighty will give its rewards to fasting people who will move to heaven through a separate door.\u201d
\nRoadside mass iftaar parties are being seen at Qisa Khwani, University Road, Lady Reading Hospital, Takhto Jumat Cantonment and Ramadas where philanthropists invite people of different faiths in an environment of sharing, care and friendship.
\nThe mass iftaar parties\u2019 long sheets filled with dates, pakora, jalebi snacks, fruits, dahe bhalay, kacalo, rice, meat, paye, chapply kebab, polao, and sweet beverages get fully occupied by the passerby, laborers and people of different schools of thoughts.
\nMaulana Tila Sadique said that interfaith harmony promotes peace and tranquility among people through positivity and mutual coexistence. He said inviting each other for iftaar parties cement bonds of love, friendship and brotherhood among people of all religions including Islam and Christianity.
\n\u201cThe Madina Charter had provided complete and unprecedented religious freedom to the followers of all religions and there is a need of constant debate and discussion on its different clauses and articles for education for ensuring lasting peace and harmony in world.\u201d
\nTerming charity an important component of Islam, he said it was more significant in Ramazan and people should give it to reputable charity organizations having an excellent people\u2019s service and clean accounts record.
\nHe said a list of reputable charities organisations was already available in NECTA website, adding extra care should be made by people so that their charity can\u2019t go into the wrong hands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Arranging food cuisines, beverages and sweets at Iftar Dastarkhwan, Riazul Haq (60), a former school teacher of Nowshera district is all smile while following the rich legacy of his father, who organized such parties for fellow villagers in every Ramazan which brought them closer besides strengthen bonds of brotherhood and mutual coexistence. Exudes with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":395399,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-395377","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n