IN observance of the holy month of Ramadan, Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, the oldest mosque in Penang, hosted a breaking-fast ‘iftar’ event for people of all faiths.
Some 100 individuals, including expatriates and religious leaders from Catholic, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Taoist communities, gathered at the mosque as early as 6pm yesterday (March 31).
The chairman of the Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh and former religious affairs minister Senator Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa warmly welcomed and greeted the special guests.
Dr Mujahid said the objective of the interfaith buka puasa event is to bring the community from different faiths closer together.
“This is a yearly programme that we have been doing for the past five years, focusing on the non-Muslims.
“We want them to know Islam better and at the same time to promote Islam as a religion of peace.
“We also want them to know more about this mosque as it is the oldest mosque in the state (since 1808) and rich in historical value. Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh was also recognised by the National Heritage Department as a ‘National Heritage’ in 2006.
“Overall, this is a very simple event, but at the same time very meaningful as we get to know each other closely,” he told reporters at the event.
Among those who attended the interfaith buka puasa event were Penang Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim and Penang Walkabout group administrator Robert Teh.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal