Community iftar keeps spirit alive at Hassan bin Thabith Mosque

2026-03-02 - 16:27

Muscat – At a small mosque near Central Business District in Mutrah, 250-300 people gather every day for a community iftar where believers of various nationalities come under one roof to pray and be with one another. A resilient and powerful tradition continues at the Hassan bin Thabith Mosque to unite hundreds every evening during Ramadan. While many public iftars discontinued in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this mosque has kept the tradition alive – serving meals for all 30 days to those observing the fast. The initiative began modestly a few years ago, when the mosque distributed meals every Thursday evening to blue-collar workers living in nearby camps. Encouraged by the positive response and growing need, a handful of residents around the mosque decided to expand the effort. The Thursday meal programme gradually evolved into a full-fledged community iftar during Ramadan. The volunteer team, now known as the Rehmat Group, has grown to nearly 30 members. Each volunteer contributes purely in the spirit of service. Donations from well-wishers at the mosque sustain the initiative, ensuring that the meals remain free and accessible to all. Preparations begin daily at 11am. A chef and two assistants oversee the cooking, using fresh supplies delivered each morning. On average, the team prepares 50kg of meat and 55kg of rice every single day. Speaking about the iftars, Zulficker Metheruvath, one of the organisers, said, “We have been organising these iftars for long and it has grown by leaps and bounds.” He added, “There have been occasional shortages, but somehow the food has always been enough. We have also ensured that there is no wastage. What began as a small act of kindness has now become a symbol of resilience, generosity and community spirit.”