About 200 Muslims gathered in Bonteheuwel on Saturday for a public breaking of their fast during which food and drinks were provided for the needy of all faiths.
The iftar, or boeka as the traditional breaking of the fast is known colloquially, was organised by the Bonteheuwel Islamic Youth Movement, which plans to hold three more “mass iftars” in Bonteheuwel over the Muslim holy month of Ramadaan, said spokesman Mogamat Sedick Cornelison, 25.
“We are trying to make sure that people are fed and the gangsters won’t shoot when we are there,” he said, adding that a mass boeka organised by the group last year had fed more than 1500 people.
“There is a great need in Bonteheuwel for food security. This year we said why do it once if we can do it for four Saturdays. Our target is 500 people every Saturday.”
Bonteheuwel resident Abubaker January said it was an important opportunity for residents to unite in the face of crime and gang violence.
“Unity is very important. It’s something we lack as a community and society. We need to show solidarity as a community. We have to give our youth some sort of direction, something good to get involved in, and people to look up to. There needs to be more facilities for youth especially on the Cape Flats so that they don’t fall into gangsterism.”.
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