By Safae Kajouane
Rabat - Ramadan, the most sacred month of the year for Muslims, affects not only their daily routine but also their environment and the people around them. Among many cross-cultural initiative, one in Brussels went viral on social media.
On Friday, June 17, the Church of St. John-Baptist of Molenbeek in Brussel has welcomed Muslims to a giant ftour (Iftar) assembly for the second year in a row. About 600 people of various faiths, invited by the priest Aurélien Saniko, gathered in the religious house.
Last year, about 300 people attended an Iftar organized in the town square.
The event was originally scheduled to take place at the town square this year as well, but it was moved to the church because of bad weather.
#Molenbeek les chrétiens accueillent les musulmans pour rupture du jeûne géante à l'intérieure de l'église #Ramadan pic.twitter.com/8SDSPh37no
— Samuel Grzybowski (@samgrzybowski) June 17, 2016
The tables were placed in the church for a meal for all attendees. The menu included typical traditional dishes such as Harira, which is widely consumed by Muslims in Ramadan. Moreover, mosques and other associations helped to provide certain foods such as soup or dates, and the guests also brought home-made dishes with them according to their own likings.
Face à l'édification de leurs murs, nous construirons des ponts. Magnifique initiative. #Molenbeek #VivreEnsemble pic.twitter.com/ysq9AI0ZlR
— CCIF (@ccif) June 20, 2016
Several speeches were given before the meal at 22:00 by numerous invitees, including the church’s priest and the husband of Loubna Lafquiri, the young teacher of Moroccan origin who died at Brussels attacks.
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