DJIBOUTI: Iftar Meal Promotes Interreligious Relations in Djibouti

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Prior to the celebration of Eid Ul Fitr; an event that marks the end of Ramadhan which is the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, members of the Catholic Church joined the Iftar meal to mark the 25th day of the month of Ramadan, a gesture that strengthens interreligious relations in Djibouti.

Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan at the time of adhan of the Maghrib prayer. It is observed as an act of kindness meant to open the gates of forgiveness and bring blessings to the people.

In a message shared with AMECEA Online by the Executive Director of Caritas Somalia Ms. Sara Ben Rached, the annual event that was organized by the International Organisation for Migrants (IOM), was a “time of sharing and enjoyment for all participants” both Catholics and Muslims.

The Catholics who joined the Iftar celebration include Rt. Rev. Giorgio Bertin the Bishop of Djibouti who doubles as the President of Caritas Djibouti, Staff of Caritas Djibouti, volunteers as well as beneficiaries of Caritas.

According to Ms. Rached, the fast-breaking evening meal was organized for street children majority of whom were “unaccompanied foreign minors from Ethiopia,” was attended by 170 people, including 40 girls and 120 boys.

She quoted Bishop Bertin to have expressed that “these kinds of meetings are important moments of community growth and represent an effective and charitable way of making the small Catholic community feel close to its Muslim brothers and sisters.”

Additional, in regard to strengthening interreligious relations Ms. Rached said, “The joy of sharing Iftar, all together as one big family, is a wonderful emotion and as strong as the message of brotherhood between two communities with different religions.”

Djibouti is an affiliate country of Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).