PHOTO
Andrea Roberto from Italy was among the 30,000 people who attended the mass Iftar at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Seated among people of different nationalities, she opened her first Ramadan fast.
"It was an experience I will never forget," said Roberto, 32, who is on a visit to the UAE.
"I could not count the different nationalities I saw. It was just mind-blowing to experience that unique sense of egalitarianism and universal brotherhood," she said.
Having Iftar at the Grand Mosque is a quintessential Ramadan experience for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. More than 30,000 people open their fast at the mosque - in what is considered the biggest mass Iftar in the UAE.
Muawia, a Sudanese expat living in Abu Dhabi, said: "I have not missed the Grand Mosque Iftar since 2010. For me, it is like a spiritual calling to sit in front of the majestic mosque and break my fast with thousands of fellow Muslims."
A construction worker from Pakistan, Mohammed Ashfaq, said he, along with his 20 friends, travels from Mussafah every evening to open their fast at the Grand Mosque.
"I go there because of my love for Baba Zayed. Also, the beauty of the place is captivating. I feel lucky whenever I sit down in front of the mosque and have my free Iftar," said Ashfaq.
The Grand Mosque Iftar also welcomes non-Muslims and many take part in it to savour the experience.
"This is my fifth Ramadan in the UAE and, every year, I fast for a day and come to the Grand Mosque for Iftar. This is a unique experience and it helps you understand and appreciate other faiths," said Rajashekaran Pillai, an Indian expat and a non-Muslim.
A total of 12 air-conditioned tents are pitched on the sprawling lawns of the iconic mosque to accommodate thousands of worshippers every evening during Ramadan. Each tent can accommodate around 1,500 people. By 5pm, the tents are already packed and hundreds of people are served on the open ground.
To whip up the mass Iftar, an army of people - including 350 chefs, 180 stewards and more than 400 support staff members - toil in the special kitchen at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.
Some 7,000kg of rice, 12,000kg of chicken and around 20,000kg of vegetables are used every day to cook the grand feast.
An executive chef, George Gebrayel, who has been with the kitchen since 2004 when the Iftar started, said it is a challenging job to cater to such huge numbers but "we have a system in place and we are used to it now".
"It is the same every year. We are happy that more and more people are coming to enjoy our Iftar. We do not compromise on portions and quality, and that is important," said Gebrayel.
