Opinion Breaking fast, building bridges and an interfaith iftar in Delhi
One of the guests, a hockey writer, reminded everyone how 50 years ago, in 1975, it had taken Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh players together to win the World Cup in hockey. In 2025, celebrating each other and opening our hearts and minds would be the perfect way to honour the victory.
Iftar is the food that we have after breaking our fast — roza — in the month of Ramzaan. -
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Written by Farah Naaz
Is Ramzaan all about fasting? What does breaking the fast entail? These were only some of the questions on the minds of the guests who arrived at an interfaith iftar in New Delhi. Started in 2017 by writers Nazia Eram and Rana Safvi, the interfaith iftars have become an annual affair. The gathering, now organised by 12 hosts, sees each of them bring one home-cooked dish and four guests of their choice, who are offered glimpses into the culture, traditions and food that are representative of Ramzaan. At a time when Muslims are routinely othered, when hate is spewed on social media against minorities, by opening their homes to people, these Muslim women believe that the animosity can be countered by love.
Iftar is the food that we have after breaking our fast — roza — in the month of Ramzaan. Apart from fasting, it’s an intense time for reflection, seeking forgiveness, prayers and charity. Not only does one have to forgo water the entire day, people also have to forgo vices such as lying, gossip etc.
Among the blooming petunias and chrysanthemums, under a clear sky and the stately gaze of semal trees, as strangers, acquaintances and friends gathered to break their fast with the hosts, the conversation flowed effortlessly. One of the hosts, a storyteller, spoke of how these interfaith iftars help shatter myths around the community. A chef who runs a European pastry and culinary school in Gurgaon, a guest at the iftar, spoke of the intimacy of home-cooked food and how it helped overcome preconceived notions. Another host spoke of following in the footsteps of her parents and organising a Holi-cum-iftar party where Hindus and Muslims came together to celebrate both festivals. “I saw my parents hosting iftar parties for their friends in Muzaffarnagar. I want my daughter to see this, that there is beauty in the diversity of people of India,” she said.
Slowly, the evening turned into night. The chatter continued. One of the guests, a hockey writer, reminded everyone how 50 years ago, in 1975, it had taken Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh players together to win the World Cup in hockey. That was the first World Cup ever lifted by India in any sport. In 2025, celebrating each other and opening our hearts and minds would be the perfect way to honour the victory. The interfaith iftar was one way of doing it.
What is your way of celebrating this diversity?
The writer is a Gurgaon-based advocate
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