Watch: Vegetarian iftar unites people of different faiths in Dubai

Dubai: It was an iftar with many unique traditions. Only vegetarian items on the iftar spread. Head cover for everyone who did not already wear one traditionally. And all footwear removed before entering the venue.

This is how the multi-faith iftar at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara in the Worship Village in Dubai’s Jebel Ali area stood out in uniting people of different faiths for the annual community event this week.

For the 13th time, the Gurudwara hosted its annual interfaith iftar on Wednesday and around 275 people of different faiths belonging to over 30 nationalities attended the event that demonstrated unity, peace and tolerance in the UAE.

“As per the traditions of the Gurudwara, all of them, including government officials, prominent Emirati citizens, religious heads and diplomats of different countries removed their footwear and used a head cover if they were not already wearing a kandura or turban,” Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara, told Gulf News.

He said it showed how people in the UAE respect each other’s faith and live harmoniously.

“By hosting the iftar, we are spreading peace, love and humanity and expressing our gratitude towards the UAE Rulers for allowing us to have harmony in the country and wishing our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed month and praying for their prosperity.”

He said the multi-faith iftar this year holds special significance in the context of the Year of Community announced by the President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “The slogan is ‘Hand in Hand’ which means that we are trying to hold each other’s hand and help and support each other. That is the same message that we try to convey through our Gurudwara’s community volunteering activities.”

The Gurudwara has been at the forefront of various community services and is particularly famous for offering free meals through its community kitchen called ‘langar’ three times a day to all the visitors irrespective of their religion or nationality.

Mirza Al Sayegh, a prominent Emirati citizen in Dubai and a former UAE diplomat, has been a regular participant at the Gurudwara’s iftar. “Every time I come to attend Gurudwara’s iftar, I am reminded that all the religions talk about peace and harmony. The iftar here demonstrates the deep integration of people from diverse backgrounds. This is also an occasion which brings the UAE and India together as well,” said Al Sayegh, who had served in India as a top diplomat.

Indian Consul General in Dubai Satish Kumar Sivan appreciated the Gurudwara for getting all communities and religions together. “I am glad to be here for the Gurudwara’s iftar. I congratulate them for hosting this event for so many years and for upholding the spirit of tolerance, inclusivity and wonderful humanity that this country is upholding under the leadership of the President and the Prime Minister of the UAE. It is an opportunity for us to show that India stands with the UAE in upholding the spirit of tolerance,” he said.

Meanwhile, another Emirati citizen and managing director of the Dubai Quality Group, Samira Mohammed, said: “It has been a pleasure to be invited to the Gurudwara’s iftar party. This is of course in line with the UAE’s strategy for promoting tolerance and the Year of Community. I am so delighted to be here. We have several VIPs and prominent members of different communities here. It has been a great pleasure to attend this special iftar.”

American citizen Steven Ericksen came all the way from Abu Dhabi to attend the iftar. A volunteer with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Abu Dhabi, he said: “My wife and I came from the US just about a year and half ago. One of the first things that we did here was to visit the Gurudwara as our church has been in great partnership with the Sikh temple to hold various activities that serve the community. We started attending the interfaith iftar last year and we feel very happy to be a part of it. You don’t feel putting a turban on your head or removing your shoes as an inconvenience. In fact, it is an honour to be here and to be part of their culture.”