Community organisation Ekta New Zealand Inc., after starting the Wellington chapter of the ‘Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen’, participated in iftar gatherings at three different mosques in Wellington earlier this week.
Ekta team visited the Al Ameen Islamic Development New Zealand or Kenmore Road mosque, on Saturday, May 25, and Batchelor Street mosque in Newlands on Sunday, May 26 share the iftar meal with the fellow Muslim community.
It is customary for a fasting Muslim to open their fast along with others especially inviting non-Muslims to be a part of the iftar session. It helps to strengthen the bonding amongst the people who share food.
Ekta will attend another iftar session at Kilbirnie Mosque on Saturday, June 1 in Wellington before the Muslim community celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr later next week.
The iftar sessions held last weekend were also attended by National MP Brett Hudson, Labour MP Greg O Connor, Deputy Mayor of Wellington Jill Day, Wellington City Council Councillor, Peter Gilbert.
Volunteers from Ekta NZ helped organise the candle vigil and formed human chains around the Kilbirnie Mosque earlier in March after the horrific Christchurch mosque shooting on March 15.
“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 Christchurch mosque,” Ekta NZ Project Leader Farisha Begg told The Indian Weekender.
MP Brett Hudson, who is a stronger supporter of Ethnic Communities in Wellington, thanked the Muslim communities of both mosques for welcoming them to the iftar events.
“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,” Mr Hudson said.
Dignitaries commended the efforts that Ekta NZ for undertaking such community bonding spirited tasks and collaborating with different organisations to increase cohesion between different ethnic communities.
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