India Fraternity Forum, a Riyadh-based social organization, hosted a huge Iftar party for members of the Indian community at an istraha about 20 km from the capital. More than 2,500 Indian workers and their families belonging to different Indian states and of various occupations attended the Iftar get-together. Ashraf Melattur, the forum's welfare wing coordinator, said enthusiasm among office-bearers and other social activists was so motivating that the people from Batha in downtown Riyadh and the New Industrial City were transported to the istraha, the venue of the Iftar in Al-Hair, in their own cars and in mini vans. Food was prepared at the istraha kitchen, something unheard of in the Indian community. Office bearers and other well-to-do members of the Indian community provided ingredients, such as rice, chicken and Indian condiments required for preparing dishes that included Indian biryani and vegetable curry. At Iftar time people were served with dates, juice, laban and bottles of water. “It was a great challenge to cook food for 2,500 people and serve them at Iftar time. Praise be to Allah, we did everything as per schedule and served hot food to the people, right after Maghreb prayer,” Melattur said. Forum officials who contributed to the success of the Iftar party included Jalaluddin Kannur, Koya Faruk, Ilyas Tirur, Salim Moulavi, Junaid, and Fayas, all from Tamil Nadu; Javed from Andhra Pradesh; Basheer and Majeed from Karnataka; Syed Ali from West Bengal; and Syed Mansoor from Maharashstra. Free distribution of Iftar meals is a common sight in Riyadh and elsewhere in the Kingdom. Tents, adjacent to mosques and in open grounds, have been set up across the city offering free Iftar meals to mostly foreign workers of various nationalities. As Maghreb time approaches, groups of people can be seen walking toward the tents that offer free Iftar meals.
