Kuwait: IMA hosts interfaith Iftar get-together

Kuwait: Indian Muslim Association-Kuwait in cooperation with IPC organized an interfaith Iftar get-together to present the message of Ramadan and promote religious harmony and inter-faith dialog, recently.

A galaxy of dignitaries from various organizations, Islamic scholars and people from all walks of life were part of the event held at Rajdhani Palace, Khaitan.

Hasan Taha, Assistant Manager, Ties Center, spoke on the message of Ramadan. He said that Ramadan was a month of devotion to God and it was a month of introspection and correction as well. During Ramadan Muslims develop sympathy for the poor and needy as they feel the pain of hunger and thirst, he said. Musa Azam Ibrahimi, a visiting scholar from USA, spoke on the topic “God consciousness”.

Sharafuddin Soofi delivered the keynote speech on the topic “Islam the religion of mercy”. He narrated a story to explain the fact that how caring for others will bring peace to ourselves. He said, in Islam there is no compulsion; man is given free will to practice a religion of his choice. “We need to respect all religions in order to bring about harmony in the society. All major religions basically teach oneness of God. This belief in one and true God is crucial for the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths. Scriptures of Christianity and Hinduism also establish oneness of the God,” he said.

A question and answer session was held after the speeches. Sharafuddin Soofi and Hasan Taha answered questions asked by the audience.

Abdul Aziz Al-Duaij, chief guest, expressed his views at the occasion and applauded IMA’s efforts in bringing together different communities.

Guests of honor, Dr. Vinod Grover, President of Indian Doctors Forum, Mr. Thanrendra P. Shettigar, President of Tulukoota Kuwait, Mr. Venkata Shiva Rao Koduri expressed their views at the occasion and praised IMA’s efforts to bring people of different faiths closer to each other.

Masood Shahab, president of IMA presented gifts as a token of appreciation to guests of honour .The program started with the recitation of the Quran by Master Imaduddeen and concluded by the vote of thanks. Hasan Yusuf was the moderator for the whole event.