130 years of giving: Saudi family’s ‘Iftar House’ keeps Ramadan tradition alive

Cairo: A longstanding tradition of serving meals during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan has been passed down for over a century in a Saudi family.

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. They break their fast at sunset with an Iftar meal and prepare for the next day's fast with a pre-dawn meal known as Suhur.

Sheikh Hamad Al Jumaih is committed to continuing the charitable initiative, known as "Iftar House," which was started by his forefathers in the Shaqra governorate near Riyadh more than 130 years ago. The initiative hosts people for both Iftar and Suhur banquets.

He told Saudi news website Sabq that the long-standing project is inspired by Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), who said: “Whoever breaks the fast of a fasting person will have a reward like his.”

This tradition not only helps ease the hardships of the needy and passersby but also fosters a sense of community support.

Abdulaziz Al Bukhaiti, the project supervisor, works alongside his sons and brothers to serve Iftar meals, which include coffee, dates, water, juice, samosas, and specially prepared dishes for foreign community members.

After the Maghreb (sunset) prayer, dinner is served, featuring vegetable broth, soup, and a main course of rice and chicken with meat sauce.

"Once dinner is over, the staff clean and tidy up the space before preparing for Suhur," Al Bukhaiti added. The Suhur meal includes rice, chicken, vegetable broth, water, and yogurt.

Packaged meals are also available daily for those who prefer to collect them and take them home.

"In addition, Iftar meals are prepared for needy families and delivered to their homes after the Asr (afternoon) prayer and before the Maghreb prayer, using a dedicated vehicle for food distribution," he said.