By EKTA | NEW ZEALAND |
Ekta joined in the breaking of the fast with Muslim members of the community in two mosques in the Newlands suburb of Wellington on 25 and 26 May 2019 and will be joining in the iftar at the main Wellington mosque in Kilbirnie on 1 June.
Ekta project leader Farisha Begg said aside from Ekta members, local MPs and councillors, the deputy mayor of Wellington also joined Ekta in the iftars at the Newlands mosques.
Begg said it is customary for communities to have iftar together. In addition to the breaking of the fast, it helps to strengthen the bonding amongst the people who share food.
Begg said that Ekta volunteers had helped at the vigil that had been organised in Wellington after the Christchurch shootings and had also helped in organising the human chain around the Kilbirnie mosque in late March.
Participating and contributing to the Iftars was hence just an extension of the bonding that Ekta has been trying to develop earnestly since the tragic events of March 15.
Begg who had also helped in Christchurch in the aftermath of the shootings, said that it is very inspiring to see more and more community groups making efforts to encourage their members to know and partake in the practices of people living around them. Several groups have been participating in iftars in the mosques in Wellington.
Begg noted that at both mosques the Imams and the Muslim community was most appreciative of the participation of Ekta and friends at the Iftars and expressed interest to further strengthen the bonding going forward.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Ekta members. Anu Singh, United Nation Association’s President for the Wellington Branch, who was visiting a mosque for iftar for the first time, said she felt blessed and loved and welcomed the opportunity to work further with Ekta and the Muslim community of Wellington and particularly of Newlands.
Local MP Brett Hudson, who is a stronger supporter of Ethnic Communities in Wellington, in thanking the Muslim communities of both mosques in welcoming them to the iftars, said that developing greater understanding amongst the various people who make up New Zealand, is now even more critical and urged that more be done in fostering this kindred spirit both by the communities and the local and national governments.
Adding that everyone has the responsibility in ensuring that diversity does not stand alone but is coupled with inclusiveness. He welcomed the efforts that Ekta was undertaking in this regard through its various activities in collaboration with other community based and social organisations.
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