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Every day a Muslim family in the southern village of Chepintsi cooks iftar for the entire community. |
SOFIA — In the holy fasting month of Ramadan Muslims in many Bulgarian villages turn into one big happy family breaking their fast together.
Every day a Muslim family in the southern village of Chepintsi cooks iftar for the entire community.
Muslims flock to the village mosque, where the banquet is organized, and break their dawn-to-dusk fast together.
"This is one of our beautiful Ramadan traditions," Mustafa Haci, Bulgaria's Grand Mufti, told IslamOnline.net.
"Families compete in showing generosity by preparing their best dishes to fellow fasting Muslims."
Though the inviting families usually foot the bill for the iftar banquets, sometimes the Fatwa House volunteers to share the expenses.
"We are keen to help with the funding of the iftar banquets either through our budget or foreign donations," said Haci.
Like millions of Muslims worldwide, Bulgarians started fasting on Monday, September 1.
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
They dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, good deeds and self-restraint.
Harmony
The communal iftar banquets are not only popular in Muslim-majority villages.
"Many Muslim families in the cities invite relatives and neighbors on iftar," Sami Fazliiski, a student from the Muslim-majority city of Rudozem, told IOL.
"This is a sign of social harmony among Bulgarian Muslims during the holy fasting month."
The host welcomes guests shortly before the Maghrib prayers.
"They all sit together chatting about their life routine during Ramadan," notes Fazliiski.
"One of the guests then gives a lesson about the meanings of fasting before they break their fast and pray Maghrib," he adds.
"Then everybody heads to the mosque for the Tarawih prayers."
Fazliiski said many Muslims invite non-Muslim neighbors and friends for iftar.
"They talk about the meaning and importance of fasting as well as the Islamic teachings."
According to official figures, Muslims, mostly ethnic Turkish descendants of the Ottoman Empire's reach into Europe, make up more than 12 percent of Bulgaria's 7.8 million population.
The Fatwa House puts the percentage at nearly 25.
They coexist with Christian compatriots in a culture known as "komshuluk", or neighborly relations.
"Most non-Muslims are exited about being invited to iftar banquets," notes Fazliiski.
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