Trade-Gain That Never Perish with Allah in Ramadan

They carry along with their guests one of the names of Allah Almighty-Al-Rahman,

They are one and only scene of Ramadan that do not exist in any other time, and show clear mercy,

They exist everywhere and organised by both Muslims, Coptic and Christians,

They reflect one of the images of peace and social unity,

They are the places where all people fasting and are not at home during Maghrib prayer head to break their fast,

They were held around big mosques in the past, but now they are held in big squares and side streets, as well as on travel roads,

They are served by young men from all social spectrums,

They are facilitated by big merchants, businesspersons and big families from the first day of Ramadan, competing to provide the best food to get higher rewards,

They are Iftar banquets.

Iftar banquets date back to year 1100 and the first one to invite Egyptians to Iftar banquets was Ahmad ibn Tulun, the founder of the Tulunid dynasty in Egypt.

He gave orders to hold Iftar banquets in Ramadan; he instructed merchants and dignitaries to open their houses to the needy.

In the Fatimid dynasty, the servants at the Caliph Palace were ordered to provide large stocks of food to meet the demand of the people. Caliph Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Iftar banquets were extended nationwide meeting the demands of 100,000 people a day.

[caption id="attachment_53967" align="aligncenter" width="778"] IT held in a big squares[/caption]

Before 1952 Revolution, Iftar banquet was held by King Farouq exclusively. It was an expanded banquet held in Abdin Palace in the presence of the monarch along with the most famous Quran reciters. He also invited top officials, ministers, VIPs, the poor and needy in the palace.

Nasser Social Bank held Iftar banquets since 1967 and then the banquets were organized by VIPs and merchants. They spread in downtown. Since 1990s till to date, they spread nationwide. They are now held in preparation for elections as some promotion. Thus, they are named after some famous people. Yet, they are still organized by people who have nothing but peace and love for the poor in mind.

Contributed by: Ashraf Ibrahim

[caption id="attachment_53969" align="alignnone" width="778"] They are served by young men[/caption]