Diplomatic iftar as a wonderful annual tradition

The Council of Ukrainian Muslims together with the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine "Ummah" organized an official iftar reception in the Kyiv Islamic Cultural Center.

Representatives of state authorities, foreign diplomatic corps, clergy, public figures, scientists, activists of the Arab diaspora in Ukraine were invited to the event.

In particular, the event was attended by the Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea Tamila Tasheva, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Ukraine Darkhan Kaletaev, the State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Oleksandr Yarema, the Deputy Director General of the Ukrainian Institute Alim Aliev, the military attaché of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ukraine Muhammad Javad, the UGCC priest Fr. Roman Nebozhuk, UN Mission Chief Security Adviser in Ukraine Sabir Mughal, OCU Metropolis Secretary Fr. Vitaly Danchak, etc.

According to Seyran Aryfov, the head of the Council of Ukrainian Muslims, last time such event was held two years ago:

“Usually, we organized such iftars every Ramadan, inviting guests, our friends and acquaintances, representatives of the diplomatic corps, diasporas, and social organizations. But, unfortunately, after the beginning of the pandemic, and then due to the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion, we did not organize such iftars. I'm glad that they were able to get together again this year, even if like this.”

During the official part, the Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa Maksym Subkh spoke. He thanked for the invitation, emphasized the role of the Muslim community, its contribution to the fight against the aggressor and the development of civil society in Ukraine. Viktor Voynalovich, Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) also addressed the audience.

The Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, Anna Kutsenko, and the Head of the Department's Culture management, Dmytro Honcharenko, read a congratulatory letter from the Deputy Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, Vitaliy Vlasyuk.

"I sincerely congratulate you and the entire Muslim community on the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan. <...> The educational work of the Council of Ukrainian Muslims contributes to the establishment of moral values in society, and the implementation of social and humanitarian projects is a significant contribution to the cultural and religious development of the Kyiv Oblast and brings our Victory closer every day,"- said in the letter.

Iftar participants had the opportunity to converse in a relaxed atmosphere. Over dinner, there was an introduction, a discussion of the problems and prospects of Islam and the Muslim community in Ukraine.

According to Murat Suleymanov, the mufti of the RAMU "Ummah", the diplomatic iftar is a wonderful annual tradition:

“This is an opportunity for the Muslims of Ukraine for the authorities, as well as representatives of other faiths, to be familiar with our Ramadan and our fasting. And the main thing for us is that they learn about the meaning of the holy month firsthand. As a mufti, I am very happy that we were able to organize a celebratory iftar during the war. I hope that such events will be repeated more often, perhaps in a different format.”

As Seyran Aryfov stated, the main purpose of iftar is to maintain friendly relations:

“This year we tried to invite as many people as possible from different fields of activity. Both Muslims and representatives of other religions were present. We have good old friends who have started fasting with us for several years in a row.”

At the end of the evening, the head of the Council of Ukrainian Muslims thanked those present for finding time for this meeting for the good of the Ummah, and also expressed hope for the as soon as possible victory of Ukrainians over the aggressor, well-being and development of Ukraine.