CORPORATE IFTAR

A typical iftar scene.
[Photo courtesy of Google images.]

The company is holding a corporate iftar late this afternoon (Oct. 8th) at the Marriott.

An iftar is (according to Wikipedia) the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar during Ramadan is often done as a community, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed during Iftar when the fast is broken.

It used to be that in our company, only the Muslims would go to the corporate iftar but later on, the iftar was opened up even to non-Muslim colleagues (in much the same way that the corporation changed the shortened working hours policy to include non-Muslims – respect for cultural diversity and non-discrimation works!!!).

I must admit though that I was never really keen about our past iftar, which not only offered the usual breakfat fare of dates, sambousa and water and fruit juices, but also presentations with Islamic or Ramadan focus. At other times in the past, the iftar has also been used as an opportunity to give away mementos such as copies of the holy Quran or mugs, or calendars. And to complete the ambience, the breakfast meals were eaten while slumped on carpets. 

Corporate iftar nowadays have evolved to include serving of whole roasted lamb (kharouf). They are now also held in posh venues such as hotels. Just like ours this year. (Previously, when our office still had the space, we would hold it at a covered court.)

It’s actually already late in the day so to speak (it’s the last week of Ramadan) to be holding the corporate iftar. Pero sabi nga, mabuti kaysa wala.

I’ll remember you as I eat my first mouthful!