Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan as a month of fasting, communal prayer and reflection. They study the Quran, donate to charity and seek ways to strengthen ties within the community and beyond.

To break the Ramadan fast, ‘Iftar’, the evening meal is taken at sunset immediately after the Maghrib prayer. It is a spiritual act involving the consumption of water, dates, fruits and other traditional dishes.

Being a ‘Peoples’ army’, the Indian Army has a tradition of maintaining very close bonds with the masses. In J&K, besides undertaking a wide range of public oriented initiatives the Indian Army has been organising ‘Iftar’ gatherings that promote peace, trust and harmony. This event facilitates better bonding between the locals and the men in uniform.

The major takeaways from the practice of organising and attending ‘Iftar’ are many: they strengthen civil-military ties at grass root level, promote peace and communal harmony as well as demonstrate respect for local traditions. The Iftar engagement initiative involves a diverse group of participants, including elders, youth and community leaders. The army’s overall objective is to reinforce unity and........

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