By Nawab Khan, KUNA,
Brussels : Several Members of the European Parliament (EP) in cooperation with a Brussels-based NGO organized an Iftar (breaking of fast) banquet in the EP Monday night to promote religious values and understanding and respect for others.
British MEP, Claude Moraes, in his welcome address noted that the Iftar event was being held in the year of intercultural dialogue in Europe which was aimed at spreading religious tolerance and understanding.
“We have to work hard to communicate and break down barriers and today’s event is one to break barriers,” Moraes, whose origins are from India, told the large gathering of politicians, diplomats, representatives of various cultural and religious communities, businessmen and journalists.
Serafettin Pektas, President of the Intercultural Dialogue Platform (IDP), noted that it was the fourth traditional Ramadan Iftar dinner organsied by his organsiation.
Our aim, he said, is to offer a real platform for authentic dialogue among religions.
Pektas, whose origins are from Turkey, said Ramadan has a special place for Muslims and a time for self-questioning.
Alojz Peterle, an MEP from Slovenia, spoke on the virtues of fasting and expressed his admiration for those who want to purify themselves to come closer to God through fasting.
Brussels-based IDP was founded in 1998 as a civil imitative aimed at promoting mutual comprehension and constructive engagement among the people from differentcultural backgrounds.
It has been undertaking various projects and activities at local, national and European level.