Photo shows members of the mosque ‘kariah’ and guests during ‘iftar’.

KUCHING (Feb 24): What began as a simple effort to provide ‘iftar’ (breaking-of-fast) meals for its congregation has grown into a grand event symbolising unity.

Entering its fourth year, Masjid Al-Ghazali’s annual ‘Iftar Jamaie’ has become a much-anticipated Ramadan programme, bringing together some 250 guests every evening to break their fast under one roof.

Mosque committee chairman Sumardi Ghazalee said the activity was originally intended to serve its ‘kariah’ (parish).

“The main objective is to foster closer relationships among the members of our ‘kariah’ by breaking fast together.

“At the same time, we want to encourage the spirit of ‘sedekah’ (charity) among the congregation,” he told The Borneo Post here.

Funded through contributions from its congregation and several corporate donors, the programme reflected what Sumardi described as ‘a collective effort rooted in sincerity’.

“In fact, the mosque maintains a close relationship with a supermarket, located near to the mosque, with the owner giving donations – feeling that this is a good initiative,” he said.

Participation, according to Sumardi, is not limited only to Muslims.

Sumardi (fifth left) with the mosque committee members along with the imam and ‘bilal’ (caller of azan) gather for a group photo.

“We even invite the supermarket’s staff, regardless of whether they are Chinese, Dayak or from other ethnic backgrounds, to join us in breaking fast together.

“Opening the ‘iftar’ to non-Muslims sends a powerful message – Ramadan is not only about fasting, but also about sharing, inclusivity and strengthening bonds across communities.”

Sumardi said the mosque team would always ensure that food would be served consistently throughout the fasting month, despite the challenges in preparing meals daily.

“We do face certain constraints, so we have appointed a catering service to provide food throughout Ramadan.

“The catering company does not charge high fees because they understand our objectives.

“In a way, in providing the catering services, they are also contributing through charity,” he said.

The ‘Iftar Jamaie’ at Masjid Al-Ghazali is ongoing every evening until this March 19, which is the 29th of Ramadan on the Hijri calendar.

This mosque, opened to public in May 2019, was built using the compensation money given to the next-of-kin of MH17 plane crash victims, Tambi Jiee and wife Ariza Ghazalee, who was Sumardi’s sister.

The couple and their four children were killed in the tragedy, where the Malaysia Airlines carrier was shot down while flying over the Ukrainian-Russian border on July 17, 2014.

The disaster claimed all 298 lives on board.

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