Jakarta, IO – A number of Muslims were seen preparing for the first iftar (break of the fast) at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on March 12, 2024. As the grand mosque, Masjid Istiqlal provides free iftar meals and drinks for the public. Around 4,000 meal boxes were provided, with 1,000 boxes donated from the Saudi Arabian government and 500 boxes from the Jakarta Provincial Government. The remainder of the meal boxes were contributed by various donors.
“Masjid Istiqlal is holding a Ramadan community iftar on the first day of fasting for all congregants. As planned, we provide 4,000 meal boxes for all congregants on working days, for all our Muslim brothers and sisters,” said Ismail Chawidu, the Daily Chairman of the Istiqlal Mosque Management.
The communal iftar program initiated at Istiqlal Mosque will continue in other regions of Indonesia. The program includes the distribution of around 20 tons of dates, 150,000 iftar meal boxes, and 50,000 mushafs (copies of the Quran).
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The Grand Mosque of Istiqlal will consistently provide iftar meals for the congregation throughout the fasting month. Typically, the Muslims will gather at the mosque to recite the salawat (prayers for a blessing upon the Prophet Muhammad PBUH) while waiting for the Maghrib’s call to prayer. Once the Adhan Maghrib call to prayer starts, Muslims collectively recite the iftar prayer, signifying the commencement of the iftar. The congregation then partakes in the distributed iftar snacks, creating a warm and blessed sense of togetherness at the beginning of this year’s Ramadan.
(IO/Faisal Ramadhan)