A large number of Sri Lankans turned up with their families at a grand iftar party held at the Sri Lankan consulate premises in Jeddah on Friday.

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” (porridge) were served at the party, which was open to all sections of the Sri Lankan community living in the western region.

Following a religious speech on the significance of Ramadan, SLES President Rafeek welcomed the guests that 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 their victuals with one another. “This is a true spirit of Islamic brotherhood, which helps Muslims to develop understanding and goodwill 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. “The importance in such celebrations is the active participation of all communities in organizing these events,” he stressed.

He pointed out that the Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom is an example to others in Sri Lanka for peaceful coexistence with other communities. “We all belong to one nation, and we are children of mother Lanka,” he stressed.

Sri Lankan Consul General Adambawa Uthumalebbe, who was the chief guest at the function, told Arab News yesterday 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 that would help them in the hereafter.

The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the SLES secretary-general, Flyle Cader.

The iftar party organized by the Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh has been postponed for Aug. 10 due to unavoidable circumstances.

Sri Lankan Ambassador Ahmed A. Jawad said that this is an annual get-together for all Sri Lankans living in the Kingdom.