A large number of Sri Lankans with their families turned up at a grand iftar party held at the Sri Lankan Consulate premises in Jeddah recently.
The annual event was organized by the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES), headed by H.M. Rafeek, in cooperation with the Sri Lankan mission in Jeddah.
Typical Sri Lankan dishes including the traditional "Kanji" were served at the party which was open to all sections of the Sri Lankan community living in the western province.
Following a religious speech on the significance of Ramadan, SLES President welcomed the guests, who were present at the open air auditorium of the Lankan mission despite the warm weather.
“Ramadan is a holy month bestowed by the Almighty Allah for us to reap a bounty of rewards for the good work done by Muslims, Rafeek said in his welcome address. He added that iftar is an occasion where families meet and greet each other and share food with one another. “This is a true spirit of Islamic brotherhood which helps Muslims to develop understanding and good will with their brethren,” the president said.
Rafeek explained that it is customary for the society to organize religious functions to cater to the cultural interests of various faiths. He pointed out that the Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom presents an example for people back home of peaceful coexistence with other communities. “ We all belong to one nation and we are children of mother Lanka,” he stressed.
Adambawa Uthumalebbe, Sri Lankan consul general, who was the chief guest at the function, told Arab News that more than 600 Sri Lankans from all communities attended the iftar program. “This was a good example of unity among all members of the Lankan community living in the western province,” he said.
The consul general told his expatriate Muslims to benefit from the religious programs in the Kingdom which would help them in the hereafter.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the SLES Secretary General Flyle Cader.
