Chaguanas Mayor Hosts Annual Iftar Gathering
Mayor of Chaguanas, Faaiq Mohammed, welcomed members of the community to his annual Iftar meal on Wednesday evening, continuing a cherished tradition during the holy month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and devotion. From dawn to sunset, believers fast, using this period to purify the soul and renew their faith. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called Iftar.
Mayor Mohammed said this is his fourth year hosting an Iftar in the community.
« It means a lot to me, right, because we bring the entire Muslim community. This is not the Muslim community of Chaguanas. This is the Muslim community of leaders from around Trinidad and Tobago. So to see the unity among the Muslim population on an afternoon like this, it brings immense pleasure to my heart. »
Minister of Land and Legal Affairs, Saddam Hosein, was among Mayor Mohammed’s guests at the Iftar.
« It really fills me with joy this evening to have sat and enjoyed this sacred moment with my Muslim brothers and sisters in the breaking of the fast. This is one of the five pillars of Islam, and we have engaged in the breaking of the fast together during this period of Ramadan. It’s called an Iftar, and it was such a heartwarming moment where all of us could have joined and enjoyed the food and so on. »
Another guest, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Khadijah Ameen, said because of the cosmopolitan nature of Trinidad and Tobago, the culture of integration is strong.
« So I always make every effort to join our Muslim brothers and sisters as they observe Ramadan and certainly as they celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. But also to stay tuned to their causes, stay tuned to their concerns, and address their issues. »
Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad.
